Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce on reported fallout with Ross McCormack and Tim Cahill

THE day after a Herald Sun report on Ross McCormack’s absence from the Melbourne City team, coach Warren Joyce has moved to address the story — and weighed in on Tim Cahill.

City coach Warren Joyce addresses the media. Picture: Getty Images

ROSS McCormack is available for Friday night’s clash with Perth at AAMI Park after missing last week’s loss to Brisbane.

And Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce said it would be “best to ask Tim” Cahill about speculation the pair’s relationship is strained.

Joyce confirmed Scottish striker McCormack had been carrying an achilles injury while in Melbourne.

FALLOUT: WHY CITY DROPPED McCORMACK

The Englishman denied the Herald Sun’s report that the Aston Villa loanee was stood down last week for disciplinary reasons after turning up late to training.

“That’s wrong, yeah,” Joyce said.

Tim Cahill at City training on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

Ross McCormack goes through his paces. Picture: Getty Images

However, the Herald Sun confirmed the circumstances with two City figures before the story was published on Wednesday and stands by its story.

No one at the club bar Joyce has denied the report and, when asked if he would try to hide the story if true, Joyce intimated protecting his players was his biggest priority.

“Possibly not, because there’s been a lot of players this season that you’ve disciplined that you’ve not wrote about or heard about or made an issue of,” he said.

“There’s different forms of discipline and it depends how you define the word.

“There’s been a large part in my life developing players and people. You want to help every player at this football club achieve their aims, whoever it is.”

Cahill dropped a bombshell after Australia’s World Cup qualifying win against Honduras last week, stating he may have to explore a move elsewhere if he can’t get the game time he needs at City to ensure he’s selected for next year’s tournament in Russia.

City coach Warren Joyce says conversations with the Socceroos are private. Picture: Getty Images

Subsequent reports suggested Joyce and Cahill were barely on speaking terms, but the coach wouldn’t enter into the speculation.

“You’re better off asking Tim that question,” he said.

“He’s been out there for training, but you can only ask Tim those questions, not myself, because that’s speculation on my behalf.

“I have no problems with Tim Cahill at all.

“I’m concerned with the group. My only concern is the team and doing everything you can to help the club grow, to build the culture within the club.”

Joyce also brushed off questions about peace talks held between he and the Socceroos star last Saturday.

“I think those conversations are private.”

Originally published as Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce on reported fallout with Ross McCormack and Tim Cahill