The 33-year-old striker has been sidelined since collecting the injury against Manure on 23 December and Martin O'Neill admitted: "Chris saw the specialist but the eye hasn't improved. We want to be optimistic but it's a slow process. He hasn't been given the all-clear but Chris will do some non-contact training to get his fitness levels up." The Villa boss had hoped Sutton would be cleared to resume full training following a visit to a specialist, but despite the setback, he is confident he will not need an operation. "Undergoing surgery is not something we're contemplating. Chris is far from downbeat. He can go about his daily life but he said if his other eye was like it, he would be in a spot of bother."