Ecuador confirm Antonio Valencia's Copa America absence

Ecuador head coach Gustavo Quinteros has revealed that he will be without the services of Antonio Valencia for this month's Copa America.

The Manchester United winger recently revealed that he had undergone surgery following the conclusion of the 2014-15 Premier League campaign, but no further details were provided.

However, Quinteros has now confirmed that the 29-year-old went under the knife to ease the pain from an ankle injury that he had suffered five years ago.

"The plates or screws were causing trouble. Therefore [United] decided on an operation. It was urgent surgery for Antonio. I want him to be 100% in World Cup qualifying. The surgery was not something that was planned long ago," the boss told reporters.

Valencia has been capped on 75 occasions by his country.