The Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia came close to a recurrence of the injury that severely disrupted his last season and will miss Ecuador's second Copa América Group B match, against Venezuela on Saturday.
After missing six months of United's title-winning campaign with a dislocated and broken left ankle Valencia may have feared another lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging the same joint in the 0-0 draw with Paraguay in Santa Fe on Sunday.
"[His opponent] stepped on his foot and very nearly fractured it again," said Ecuador's team doctor, Tony Ocampo. "He has a bruise on the spot where he has a titanium plate, he couldn't put his weight on his foot, but the swelling has gone down about 40% since Sunday. He won't make it for Saturday but he'll be there for Brazil [on 13 July]."