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Manchester United star Antonio Valencia has finally stopped limping this week after taking part in revolutionary ‘water torture’ sessions to speed up his recovery from a broken ankle, Goal.com UK can reveal.
The underwater treadmill designed by NASA has helped the winger make such rapid progress at the club's Carrington training ground that insiders believe he could return to full impact training as early as January and target a return to the first team the following month.
Valencia dislocated his ankle in a challenge with Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot in September and there were initially fears he would miss the remainder of the season.
But the Ecuadorian has shocked medical staff at Old Trafford by making light work of his rehabilitation since he began exercise training a month ago.
The former Wigan man started his road to recovery immersed in water to take the weight off his injured ankle and to help improve his balance.
He then began a programme of light jogging in purpose-built hydrotherapy pools under the watchful eye of the United physiotherapists.
Valencia, 25, has since been introduced to the underwater treadmill to help him build up muscle strength in his legs in readiness for his return to action.
The club are using waterproof cameras to record his movement and pick up any problems in his running stride or general movement.
The treatment has been so successful that Valencia was seen walking around Carrington this week in normal stride and without a limp.
It has prompted hope that the £16 million star, signed from Wigan in summer 2009, could still feature heavily this season for Sir Alex Ferguson's side as they look to win back the Premier League title.
“The water work is heavy going, but he is determined to play a big part during United’s run-in,” said a source.
United have spent significant sums on the state-of-the-art water technology, which is used by the US Navy and a number of American football teams as well as Premier League rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa.
The television images of Valencia’s injury in September’s Champions League clash were deemed too graphic for Sky to broadcast live.
Yet the reaction of his team-mates made it immediately clear that he had suffered serious damage as his ankle twisted into an awkward position under the challenge from Broadfoot.
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This post has been edited by Hounddog on 28 Nov 2010, 08:26 
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Manchester United Supporters' Association, We Are United ! [vol.43]
