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Valencia could delay surgery

Image: Antonio Valencia: Manchester United's Ecuador international keen to represent his country in June

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia could delay an end-of-season operation on his ankle to enable him to represent Ecuador.

United winger keen to represent his country in June

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia could delay an end-of-season operation on his ankle to enable him to represent Ecuador. The South American nation are due to face Argentina and Colombia in early June as part of their World Cup qualifying campaign, with Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda keen for Valencia to be involved. The 26-year-old still has a plate in his left ankle following the horror injury suffered against Rangers in a UEFA Champions League contest back in September 2010 which ruled him of action for six months. Valencia was reportedly scheduled to go under the knife once the Premier League season concluded in May, but the procedure on the former Wigan man could now be put back.

Wait and see

Ecuador have been in close contact with one of their key men this year and are hoping that he will be available as they look to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Rueda said: "I raised this situation with Antonio in January and we agreed to wait and see how things evolved. "I spoke to Antonio before the game against Blackburn and the most important issue is his physical situation, but we hope that they [United] are happy not to get involved. "Hopefully, the plate will not disturb Antonio and everything will continue to be good over the final month of the season so that he can be with us for the World Cup qualifiers."

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