Fulham striker Ross McCormack has spoken to the Daily Mail about his final days at previous club Leeds United, and the predicament he faced while at the Yorkshire club.

McCormack celebrating one of his 28 league goals last season with Leeds
McCormack celebrating one of his 28 league goals last season with Leeds

McCormack said to the Daily Mail: "They didn’t want me injured with the size of the fee - it was important to the club that they didn’t miss out on that. I didn’t train on the Thursday or Friday. We were off Saturday and Sunday. Monday was the day the fee was agreed. Leeds were going to Italy for pre-season so I was down here doing my medical.’ Cellino asserts that was the day McCormack failed to show up for training.

"Where that one came from, that I didn’t show up on the Monday to go to training, is ludicrous.’ There was no resentment in McCormack’s voice, no disbelief. The tone was one of grim acceptance.

"It’s just the way that it was always going to be,’ he added. ‘It was never going to be “thanks for what you did last season, thanks for the help you’ve given the club”. It was pretty nasty in the end to be honest.

"The conversations were that the club didn’t want me to leave - or Mr Cellino, Mr President… the chairman - he didn’t want me to leave. He said you can leave but it’s got to come across as you are initiating it.

"So there was a transfer request put in all for the benefit of the club, where they can come across in a good light to the fans.

"Unfortunately at the time the fans probably took sides with the owner. After a few things have come to light maybe they are turning a little bit.

"At the time I didn’t want to go. I wasn’t the only player that didn’t really like what was going on. The only difference was that I was probably the only one who said what he felt. They didn’t take too kindly to that.’

"He named his price and he got it. It’s sad because that was somewhere I honestly thought I was going to finish my career. I believed it was my club.

"I had a house there and was more than happy to retire there. My little man was settled and my missus liked it.’