Horror: Antonio Valencia has missed five months of
the season after breaking his ankle during a Champions League
match
Manchester
United's
title hopes have been handed a boost with the return to the
training field of winger Antonio Valencia.
The Ecuadorian has been sidelined for more than five months
after suffering a serious injury in a Champions League clash with
Rangers.
The broken ankle and ligament damage bought to an end an
outstanding year for Valencia following his £17million move from
Wigan in 2009.
And with Sir Alex Ferguson now facing up to a month without
Ji-sung Park, who was ruled out for up to a month, the step up in
rehabilitation of one of his most dangerous wide man is welcome
news.
'The good news is that Valencia started training with the
Reserves on Saturday,' said the United boss. 'So he’s on his way
back and that will be a real boost to have him available for the
run-in.'
Back in the groove: Valencia is likely to return to
action in March
There a suggestion in January that Valencia might return
to action between United's two-legged Champions League clash with
Marseille at the end of the month.
'He has started his running programme and is with the physios
every day, which is a big step forward,' Ferguson said almost four
weeks ahgo. 'Possibly he should be back in the first-team squad
towards the end of February.
However the club's official website today claimed sometime in
March would be much more realistic.