The 32-year-old is set to join Central Coast Mariners on loan from Championship side Aston Villa, according to reports from the UK.

But McCormack was loaned to City last season and scored 14 goals in 16 games before leaving in January.

City have just signed defender Ritchie De Laet on loan from Villa and is keen for game time, admitting his situation wasn’t too dissimilar to McCormack’s last season.

Joyce said Villa manager Steve Bruce was in a difficult situation with his squad.

“Ross did a good job for our club, so good luck to him wherever he goes, it would be good to see him in the league,” Joyce said today.

“Villa are a big club, the manager there has gone in and has to look after a lot of players that have been signed by other managers.

“It’s a difficult situation to manage that, so you can look at players and as there are a lot of players, you’re thinking of who is in the plans.

“The flipside is us getting players from the league. You wouldn’t be able to get those players if that wasn’t the environment.

“It’s helped us, they’re in a situation where there’s loads of players there.”

De Laet was unable to shed any light on the out-of-favour McCormack, but had full faith in his ability.

De Laet looking to get on the park this season

“I spoke to Ross before I came out here and he really enjoyed his time, but I didn’t need him to convince me to come out here,” De Laet said.

“All I can say is that he’s a hard working player and I’m sure the gaffer would agree with that when he was here.

“From what I’ve seen in pre-season at Villa, he’s been putting a shift in. It’s just one of those unlucky moments.”

City will meet Western Sydney Wanderers in the FFA Cup on Wednesday night and Joyce confirmed Osama Malik would be absent with injury.

It is unclear whether De Laet will play, but the versatile defender was keen to get on the park after a lack of game time in Europe.

“They show the games in the UK and it looks like a great league to play in, so I’m really excited to get started,” the right-back said.

“Winning the title should be the aim. Seeing some of the players out there, there’s some real quality in this team and I’m sure once we get it all together, we’ll make a good push for it.”