China’s star hurdler Liu Xiang is bedridden after an operation for an injury which forced his exit from the Olympics but he could be back on his feet next month.

Coach Sun Haiping said Liu could start walking in mid-October after rupturing his Achilles tendon, an injury that dashed his Olympic hopes and put his future career in doubt.

“Liu Xiang can just lie in bed now. His daily life is very simple, just chatting online with friends,” the Shanghai Morning Post quoted Sun as saying.

The former 110m gold medallist underwent surgery in London after he clattered into the first hurdle in his opening heat at the Olympics and fell heavily.

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