ROSS McCormack is keen on making a return to Motherwell and the Fir Park outfit are confident his ties to the club will sway him into joining on a loan deal from Aston Villa.

The 32-year-old was pictured alongside Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson and chief executive officer Alan Burrows in the stand at Hamilton on Saturday.

The Steelmen have held talks with the former Rangers, Leeds United and Fulham attacker about returning to the club where he spent two years in his early career for the second half of the season, and it is understood that he is interested in the move.

There would be next to no financial cost to Motherwell to land a player who Villa paid £12million for two years ago, with the Championship club prepared to foot the vast majority of his wages.

There are potential stumbling blocks to overcome though. McCormack’s loan contract at Australian side Central Coast Mariners, where he has spent just three months of an initial one-year agreement, would have to be cancelled. The former Scotland forward is also carrying a knee injury, which while not thought to be serious, may keep him out for a month or so.

Fir Park chiefs are also concerned that approaches from other clubs could scupper their chances, but they remain hopeful that McCormack will choose to come back to Motherwell for a second time.