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Ecuador will be without Antonio Valencia as they take on holders Brazil on Wednesday in a do-or-die clash.
Valencia missed the loss to Venezuela with an ankle injury suffered in the opening group match draw against Paraguay and now medical staff feel he should not be risked. Valencia dislocated and broke the same ankle last September during a Champions League outing against Glasgow Rangers.
Speaking to the reporters, squad doctor Patricio Maldonado said,
“Unfortunately the injury has not improved to the extent that he would be 100 percent able to play. For his own good we cannot risk him. If he did turn out and got injured then we wuld lose him for a long time.”
Maldonado added that Manchester United were being constantly updated about Valencia’s injury.
“We are communicating over the internet, we are sending them all the tests.”
Maldonado’s comments come after team physio Tony Ocampo, on Wednesday, had expressed hope that Valencia might feature in the match against Brazil.
The match could be Ecuador’s last match of the tournament in Argentina. They are bottom of the group one point behind Brazil andParaguay and three adrift of surprise leaders Venezuela. Only a win will see the Ecuadorians through on Wednesday.
