Ecuadorian sustains knock to same ankle he fractured in September during goalless draw with Paraguay, while international coach calls on officials to protect his players

Manchester United wideman Antonio Valencia was forced off with an ankle injury at half-time in Ecuador’s goalless opening fixture of the Copa America against Paraguay.

The 25-year-old recently returned to action from a fracture to his left ankle in September of last year, and boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be concerned by the knock picked up by the former Wigan man to the same ankle.

Ecuador manager Reinaldo Rueda has called for his players to be afforded more protection by officials, and will likely be without Valencia for his side’s next fixture against Venezuela on Saturday.

"The referees must take care of this situation because it [the injury] happened in the first half and [Antonio] was no longer the same," Rueda said. "He could not stand or walk on it and we had to make a change.

“It's a shame because we all know the process he went through to be here.”