O'Neill eyes Sutton return
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is optimistic Chris Sutton will be able to make his comeback from injury in the Barclays Premiership clash at Sheffield United on December 11.
Sutton missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough due to a calf problem and has also been ruled out of tonight’s home clash with Manchester City and Saturday’s visit to Portsmouth.
The 33-year-old has undergone a scan but it revealed no long-term damage and he should be back in contention against Neil Warnock’s side on Monday week.
The former Celtic striker had just begun to make an impact at Villa Park and his goal at Everton secured his side’s first away win of the season earlier this month.
O’Neill said: “It’s a shame for Chris. He did the injury whilst out for a run by himself.
“He didn’t think it was much and then suddenly the scans suggested it was a wee bit more than that.
“It’s not a long-term injury and he should be recovered and in contention for the Sheffield United game – but I might be wrong.”
Meanwhile, Sutton will not make any decision on his future until the end of ths season, when his current Villa deal expires.
He said: “I’m obviously on a short-term contract but that suits me and I want to do as well as I possibly can when I am fit.
“The way I look at it is I’m going to put everything into things and then see what happens next summer.”
Sutton had contemplated hanging up his boots at the end of last season after an injury-plagued spell at Birmingham, before having an operation to cure a groin problem and then getting the call from his former Parkhead boss O’Neill.
