Darren Fletcher is confident Manchester United teammate Antonio Valencia will bounce back from his horror ankle injury.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already admitted he does not expect Valencia to be available for the remainder of the season and likened the injury to that which Alan Smith suffered in similarly freakish circumstances against Liverpool in 2006.
Arguably Smith has not been the same player since. But, as he came to terms with watching Valencia being carried off on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask to ease the pain, the gruesome sight so bad Sky did not show a replay the incident itself, Fletcher is holding out more hope for the Ecuador star.
"It looked really bad," he said. "Hopefully the scans show it is not as bad as we fear.
"After arriving from Wigan he had a great first season and was looking to push on this year. That is why the injury is a real blow.
"He has only just got back from the injury he suffered at the end of last season too.
"He is a strong character and a good lad. He has real determination and works hard. He will be back I am sure.
"He will have a long future at Manchester United."
