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Uruguay’s Luis Suárez is ‘100% fit’ to face England at World Cup Uruguay’s Luis Suárez is ‘100% fit’ to face England at World Cup
(35 minutes later)
Uruguay striker Luis Suárez said on Monday he felt ‘100%’ recovered from knee treatment and was ready to face England in Thursday’s Group D showdown in São Paulo if called upon. Luis Suárez said on Monday he felt “100%” recovered from knee treatment and was ready to face England in Thursday’s Group D showdown in São Paulo if called upon by Uruguay.
The prolific Liverpool forward’s cartilage surgery went smoothly last month, but he remains short of match fitness and missed Uruguay’s surprise opening 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica. The prolific Liverpool forward’s cartilage surgery went smoothly last month but he remains short of match fitness and missed Uruguay’s surprise opening 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica.
Coach Óscar Tabárez is staying mum on whether Suárez might start or come on for the game against England, who also lost their first match, 2-1 against Italy. Óscar Tabárez, the Uruguay coach, is staying mum on whether Suárez may start or come on for the game against England, who also lost their first match, 2-1 against Italy.
“I’m 100%, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” Suárez told Uruguayan reporters at the team’s training camp in Sete Lagoas.“I’m 100%, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” Suárez told Uruguayan reporters at the team’s training camp in Sete Lagoas.
“I knew it would be difficult [to be ready for] the first game, but if the proper time was left then I was going to be 100% afterwards. I’ve done everything I had to do.“I knew it would be difficult [to be ready for] the first game, but if the proper time was left then I was going to be 100% afterwards. I’ve done everything I had to do.
“I’m training today with the team and I feel in good condition. I never lost the joy and the desire. I never thought I would miss the World Cup.”“I’m training today with the team and I feel in good condition. I never lost the joy and the desire. I never thought I would miss the World Cup.”
Given the importance of Thursday’s game, with a loss for either side probably ending their hopes of progressing beyond the group stage, Tabarez may well gamble on playing Suárez. Given the importance of Thursday’s game, with a loss for either side probably ending their hopes of progressing beyond the group stage, Tabárez may well gamble on playing Suárez.
Having terrorized Premier League defences all season, Suárez will have relished seeing a few frailties exposed at the back in England’s 2-1 defeat by Italy.Having terrorized Premier League defences all season, Suárez will have relished seeing a few frailties exposed at the back in England’s 2-1 defeat by Italy.
“We hope Luis is fine and plays but if not, then it’s up to the rest of us,” Uruguay captain Diego Lugano said. “We hope Luis is fine and plays but if not, then it’s up to the rest of us,” Uruguay’s captain, Diego Lugano, said.