Ross McCormack has officially left the Central Coast Mariners in another blow for the struggling A-League club.
Fresh from being thumped 5-2 by Sydney FC on Friday night , the Mariners released a statement on Saturday announcing the on-loan Scottish striker's recall to parent club Aston Villa.
McCormack was sent back Villa for specialist treatment on a knee injury earlier in December, but was expected to be back for the Mariners' clash against Perth Glory on New Years Eve.
However the 26-year-old was spotted watching former club Motherwell play after when he was supposed to return to Australia - in a clear sign he wasn't coming back Down Under.