Skipper Martin Laursen could be back in training by the end of the week – but Gareth Barry could miss Villa’s next two games.

On a day of mixed injury news for Villa, boss Martin O’Neill revealed he is optimistic Laursen could return for the trip to Sunderland a week on Saturday.

But he admitted the results of scans on Barry’s groin problem will determine whether he misses Saturday’s derby with Albion and the Black Cats clash to undergo keyhole surgery – or be cleared to face the Baggies.

News of Laursen’s early return is a major boost to Villa as the centre-back, who has missed the last three games with a knee problem, was expected to be sidelined for another three weeks.

O’Neill even refused to completely rule him or Carlos Cuellar, who is almost fully recovered from a hamstring problem, out of the derby game – but the visit to the Stadium of Light a week later is a more likely return date.

“I don’t know whether Saturday is too early for them, but they are certainly making progress in that direction,” said O’Neill.

But he faces an anxious wait on Barry.

“We will know when we get the scan results in the next couple of days if he needs surgery,” he said.

“He wants to continue, and unless it becomes severe that is fine. Hopefully he will be fit for West Brom.”

Meanwhile, Villa have completed the signing of teenage Dutch defender Arsenio Halfhuid on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 17-year-old, the cousin of former Chelsea and Southampton defender Ken Monkou, will join the club’s youth team.