Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce insists he will not pick Ross McCormack until the striker's 'attitude towards training improves' after he was left out of the 2-2 draw with Preston.
McCormack, a £12million signing from Fulham in the summer, has been linked with a loan move back to Craven Cottage but Bruce denies all knowledge of such a deal.
The Villa boss, though, has questioned the 30-year-old's commitment to the cause after watching Preston fight back from a two-goal deficit to earn a point at Villa Park.
Bruce said: 'In my opinion he is not fit enough to play and he will not play unless his attitude towards training and missing training improves.