Injured Valencia to miss Venezuela clash
Reuters - Tuesday 05 July 2011, 22:33
SANTA FE - Ecuador's Antonio Valencia has
injured the ankle which he had surgery on last year and will
miss their second Copa America Group B match against Venezuela
on Saturday, a team doctor said on Tuesday.
The Manchester United winger was lucky the injury, which occurred during
Ecuador's 0-0 draw with Paraguay at the Colon stadium in Santa
Fe on Sunday was not more serious, Tony Ocampo told Reuters.
"[His opponent] stepped on his foot and very nearly
fractured it again," Ocampo said, referring to the same left
ankle Valencia dislocated and broke in September playing in the
Champions League.
"He has a bruise on the spot where he has a titanium plate,
he couldn't put his weight on his foot, but the swelling has
gone down about 40 percent since Sunday. He won't make it to
Saturday but he'll be there for Brazil."
Ecuador face Brazil in Cordoba on July 13 in their final
group match. Sunday's opening Group B matches between Brazil and
Venezuela and Paraguay and Ecuador ended goalless.
Paraguay midfielder Edgar Barreto, also hurt in Sunday's
match in Santa Fe, will miss their clash with Brazil in Cordoba
on Saturday also with a foot injury, coach Gerardo Martino said.
"We thought that with a week's rest he'd be able to carry on
but it seems [the injury] is a little more complicated," Martino
told a news conference, adding Victor Caceres could stand in for
Barreto in the team.
Barreto injured a metatarsal in his left foot, the same
problem for which he had surgery before last year's World Cup
finals.
Caceres is recovering from a knock during a warm-up friendly
against Chile in Asuncion 11 days ago but should be fit to
start.