Bruce warns McCormack to apologise as he admits he will listen to all offers

with it. But until he admits his behaviour was unacceptable then the situation will stay the same.

“Up until that happens, the ball is in his court. He’s still with the 23s, I call it the reserves.”

Ahead of the transfer window closing tonight, Villa will listen to Brighton Newcastle Reading Leeds Huddersfield Sheff Wed Barnsley Norwich Derby Preston Fulham Birmingham Aston Villa Ipswich Brentford Cardiff QPR Wolves Nottm Forest Burton Bristol City Wigan Blackburn Rotherham P W D L F A Pts 27 18 6 3 43 18 60 27 19 1 7 54 21 58 28 16 4 8 41 37 52 28 16 3 9 39 27 51 27 15 4 8 32 30 49 27 13 6 8 31 26 45 28 13 5 10 47 41 44 28 13 4 11 47 40 43 27 12 7 8 27 21 43 28 11 8 9 38 35 41 27 10 10 7 44 32 40 28 9 10 9 31 38 37 27 8 12 7 28 27 36 28 9 8 11 29 34 35 27 9 6 12 34 35 33 28 9 6 13 32 43 33 28 9 6 13 27 39 33 27 8 8 11 34 37 32 28 8 6 14 38 47 30 28 7 7 14 28 38 28 27 8 3 16 35 39 27 27 6 7 14 24 32 25 27 6 7 14 32 44 25 28 4 4 20 27 61 16 offers for McCormack, who has just three goals this term. But there has been little interest, with Villa insisting on recouping the fee they paid for the £50,000-a-week forward.

Bruce admitted: “He could still be here on Wednesday. I’ve had no phone calls for him.”

But Bruce has been delighted with new Iceland midfielder Birkir Bjarnason from Basel. He has compared him to Robbie Savage, who played under Bruce at Birmingham.

“The Scandinavians’ mentality usually is terrific and he is typical of that,” he said. “He is typical of what supporters want to see in England. He’s a Robbie Savage but a better footballer.

“The Iceland boys have a great work-rate and desire and appetite to play. He epitomises it.

“I didn’t think we had a chance of getting him.

“Basel are top of the Swiss league, they play in the Champions League but it just came about.” IMPRESSIVE Preston expect their unbeaten 2017 to come under fire from Neil Warnock tonight. North End haven’t lost in the league since Boxing Day, and they thumped Cardiff 3-0 in thei the corresponding clash at Deepdale in September. But Preston boss Simon Grayson said: “Any time you play against Neil Warnock’s team you know it’s going to be a real tough test for you. “He’s brought players in, Junior Hoilett and Sol Bamba, to help out and we know what to expect.” MICK McCARTHY admits that having a dry January has tested him after the struggles he has faced at Ipswich.

With fed-up fans calling for his head following a miserable run of results, Big Mick (above) could have done with a drink.

He has a copy of the Serenity Prayer in his office and the opening verse reads: ‘God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed.’ McCarthy said: “That’s the AA motto. That’s not me, though – I’m off alcohol this January and I can’t wait for February 1. It’s been testing.”