Uruguay Positive on Suarez Recovery

Uruguay Positive on Suarez Recovery

Uruguay remain cautiously optimistic about Luis
Suarez's participation in the FIFA World Cup™ as the
Liverpool striker continues his rehabilitation from a
minor knee operation. The 27-year-old underwent
keyhole surgery on Thursday to repair damage to the
meniscus in his left knee, which immediately put his
participation in Brazil in doubt.
Uruguay would not rule out the country's all-time
leading scorer of the tournament immediately after the
procedure and team doctor Alberto Pan said there was
nothing since to suggest they should change their
opinion.
"The core of the concept of his return was expressed in
the initial statement made in the immediate post-
operative period and we can happily say that Luis'
participation in the World Cup is not ruled out," Pan
told a press conference in Montevideo. "It is very risky
to give exact dates.
"We can not have absolute certainty or clear numbers
but the postoperative period has been very good. Luis
is not ruled out of the World (Cup), but you can not
talk about specific times. Luis is very positive, I never
heard a negative expression, and he says it is better
every day. Today (Suarez) is painless (and) is working
on fitness and supporting essentials."
Suarez will continue his rehabilitation away from the
main squad and national team coach Oscar Washington
Tabarez said they would not rush him back. Uruguay
play Costa Rica on 15 June before they face England in
Sao Paolo four days later.
"What happens with Luis will depend on the evolution of
his knee," Tabarez told the press conference. "We have
no doubt his enthusiasm and condition but our main
concern is the health of the player. No acceleration of
events are going to help" and their approach was "very
cautious."
In its original statement last week the Uruguay Football
Association hinted Suarez's injury could have had its
origin in a clash with Newcastle defender Paul Dummett
in the final Premier League match of the season. That
resulted in the defender receiving abuse from South
America on social media but Dr Pan said there was no
definitive opinion on what had caused the problem.
"You cannot be sure that the injury is due to trauma to
the last game of the Premier, there are no certainties,"
he added.