Benayoun explains placenta treatment

The 29-year-old relied on the practice of Serbian doctor Marijana Kovacevic, who uses a special regime to treat injured footballers.

There was no animal parts used and no injections," said Benayoun.

"The doctor has treated a lot of players and it seems to be held in very high regard.

"She explained everything to me beforehand and told me she would use fluid from a placenta that had come from a woman.

"Nothing went into the muscle itself. It was a case of massaging the liquid around the affected area.

"It meant I was able to play again and help the team at an important time within a fortnight. I never envisaged being on the pitch again so soon, and it shows what can be done with this treatment."

Kovacevic's program results in significant progress for injured players, which included Frank Lampard, Robin van Persie, Glen Johnson and Albert Riera recently.

However, Serbian health authorities are currently investigating her license for such an abnormal treatment.