Sunderland begin talks with Aston Villa over Ross McCormack as Simon Grayson looks to replace Jermain Defoe
McCormack has struggled at Villa Park since joining from Fulham and boss Steve Bruce has axed the Scot from pre-season trip to Germany
SUNDERLAND are in talks with Aston Villa to sign frozen out striker Ross McCormack.
The Daily Mail report new Black Cats boss Simon Grayson is looking to take the striker on a season-long loan.
Grayson has the huge task of trying to replace Jermain Defoe’s goals and is hoping a fresh start for McCormack could rekindle his career.
The forward hit 42 goals in two seasons with Fulham following his move south from Leeds in 2014.
The Scot has no future at Villa Park under boss Steve Bruce and was axed from the pre-season trip to Germany, where the West Midlands side won the Cup of Traditions.
McCormack, 30, moved to Villa from Fulham last summer and was earmarked as the man to fire them back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
But the move has been a disaster – McCormack fell out with Bruce after missing and turning up late for training sessions.
One bizarre excuse was the gates on his house broke and he was unable to leave the property.
Latest transfer news
Villa, meanwhile, are the latest club to ask to take Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo on loan.
Middlesbrough, Fulham, Derby and Newcastle have all enquired about the 20-year-old.
