Luis Suarez Doubtful For World Cup After Injuring Knee

Luis Suarez Doubtful For World Cup After Injuring Knee

England’s chances of progressing from the group
stages of the World Cup in Brazil have been given a
huge boost today after reports emerged that
Uruguay’s star striker Luis Suarez is to undergo
urgent surgery on a knee injury.
Suarez is reported to have felt discomfort in his knee
during national team training last night and,
according to the Uruguayan journalist Martin
Charquero, tests later revealed he had suffered
damage to his meniscus.
The Liverpool forward was expected to undergo
surgery at 7.30am this morning – but Charquero
said the Uruguary camp is nonetheless confident
they can get him back in time for the start of the
tournament.
A Uruguay FA official has admitted that the news has
come as a shock, and that the FA will make an
official announcement later this morning.
He said: "It was all unexpected. The latest
information is that we are deciding what to do, but
there are increased possibilities (involving surgery).
I can’t tell you anything more. The AUF (Uruguay
Federation) will announce it officially on Thursday
morning."
Suarez was expected to resume his fearsome
partnership with Paris St-Germain striker Edinson
Cavani, but that combination looks to have been
shot down before a ball has been kicked.
Diego Forlan, who impressed in leading Uruguay to
third place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa,
was expected to play a support role from the
substitutes, but the 35-year-old could now be
needed to start alongside Cavani. Forlan currently
plays for Cerezo Osaka in Japan's J-League.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez does have other
options he can call upon, with Espanyol's Christian
Stuani and Pelermo's Abel Hernandez bot available
to deputise for the injured Suarez.
The country’s first match, against Costa Rica, is
scheduled for 14 June – yet according to reports
from NBC Sports, recovery from a meniscus
procedure typically takes between four and six
weeks.
Uruguay are due to play England on 19 June. The
group also contains Italy, who England will face first.
Liverpool are believed to be enquiring about further
details on Suarez's condition, with their medical staff
attempting to contact that of Uruguay's national
team. An update is expected later today.
Uruguay's hierarchy still remain optimistic that their
star striker will be available in the World Cup, with
secretary of the national team Roberto Pastoriza
claiming that they still hope he will play a part in
Brazil.
"According to the report I received a while ago, we
are optimistic that he can go to the World Cup,"
Pastoriza told ovaciondigital.com.
"It was all a surprise. Suarez trained with a niggle
and decided to have an MRI.
"Until a while ago, the last information I had was
that they were deciding what to do. The issue
officially will be announced by the AUF on Thursday
morning."