SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — 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, a newspaper has said.

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. He cannot move freely. His daily life is very simple, just chatting online with friends," the Shanghai Morning Post quoted Sun as saying Wednesday.

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.

Sun said Liu was using the time to catch up on his education, including learning more English, with the help of tutors.

Liu has already announced he will not take part in the next Olympics.

His latest injury, markedly similar to the one which caused his withdrawal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, caused widespread shock in China.