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 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 serious 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 cannot 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 cannot 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 June 15 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 is “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. –Soccernet