• World Cup

Suarez may be saved for England clash

ESPN staff
June 13, 2014
Luis Suarez trained for Uruguay on Friday but could be rested for his side's opening clash with Costa Rica © Getty Images
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Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has suggested Luis Suarez is unlikely to be in his starting XI for the Group D opener against Costa Rica on Saturday as he looks to save him for his side's clash with England.

Suarez, 27, damaged the meniscus in his left knee in training last month and has been battling to return to fitness in time for the tournament in Brazil.

Tabarez said the Liverpool striker is making steady progress, but is wary about rushing him back too quickly and risk him being forced out of the competition altogether.

"We're just about to go out and train on the pitch now and you never know what will happen," Tabarez said. "We are increasing [Suarez's] pace of recovery and up until now there have been no glitches.

"Yesterday afternoon, Suarez did the most important thing in training, which is play football. "We still have one day to go. We don't want to jump the gun. We have prepared not to have him, but it would be wonderful to have him. We have to be very careful."

Tabarez said that "if nothing changes" regarding Suarez, his starting XI "will be with [Fernando] Muslera; Maxi Pereira, [Diego] Lugano, [Diego] Godin, [MartinCaceres]; Arevalo Rios, [Walter] Gargano; [Christian] Stuani, Christian Rodriguez; [Diego] Forlan and [Edinson] Cavani."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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