$20 million striker Ross McCormack will stay at Melbourne City on one condition

MELBOURNE City scoring machine Ross McCormack has declared he will stay in Australia for the rest of the A-League season - but only on one condition.

Ross McCormack has bagged 13 goals this season. Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE City scoring machine Ross McCormack has overcome homesickness and declared that he wants to stay in Australia for the rest of the season.

The Aston Villa striker has run amok since signing as an injury-replacement for Bruno Fornaroli netting 13 goals in 15 games, with his possible stay a massive boost for City’s title chances.

Ross McCormack has bagged 13 goals this season. Picture: Michael Klein

McCormack, 31, revealed that the club has agreed to allow him to return to the UK to see his kids in February if they can negotiate a contract extension until the end of the season.

“I said to the club (City) that I’d stay for the season. Now it’s up to the guys up above to do whatever they do and agree a deal with Aston Villa,’’ McCormack told the Herald Sun.

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“I’ve got two kids that live in London and it was always going to be tough around Christmas time. It’s the first time I’ve been away from the kids at Christmas.

“But I’ve got a plan in place with Melbourne here that if I stay then I’ll be able to see the kids when we’ve got the free week in February.

“Once that’s done then I’ll be here for the season. If not I’ll return (to England).

“We’ve been in constant dialogue, I speak to the manager (Warren Joyce) a lot and (the officials) and my agent. Everyone knows that I’d like to stay.

McCormack says he will be loaned out if he ever returned to Aston Villa.

“Whether or not it’s possible with salary caps and (visa spots) and all these different rules in the A-League. If it’s possible it will get done, if it’s not possible then it won’t.”

McCormack conceded that his future at promotion-chasing Villa was all but over under manager Steve Bruce.

“If (a City deal can’t be sorted) then I’ll go back to Villa and probably have to look for another loan move as well,’’ he said.

“It’s not my decision but I think it’s probably been made clear that I won’t be around the team there which is fine, that’s football, that’s what happens.”

McCormack celebrates scoring against Perth.

McCormack conceded he was feeling great ahead of Sunday’s AAMI Park clash with Adelaide United and was confident that City could come home strongly.

“It’s just a timing thing, when you get in a rhythm, you feel like you’re going to score every game,’’ McCormack said.

“Good signs (for City). Looking at the league, Sydney’s probably too far ahead.

“We won’t stop trying to catch them until it’s mathematically impossible, but realistically if we’re going to get one over Sydney this season it will have to be the grand final if we can.”