In news that comes as little surprise to anyone, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has reportedly been ruled out of Uruguay’s World Cup opener against Costa Rica on June 14th according to Uruguayan newspaper Ovacion.
Although the 27-year olds knee surgery was deemed a success, questions remain regarding his recovery time and whether or not he’ll be able to make the tournament at all. After feeling some pain while training with the national team, the 31-goal man quickly underwent surgery to repair a problem with his lateral meniscus. With the tournament set to start less than a month from now, it’s suspected that Suarez will miss at least the first two matches though they’re hopeful he’ll make the bench for their all important encounter with Italy on June 24th — that is, if he’s brought to Brazil at all.
“Only on June 2, when making the final list will we know if Suarez comes or not, whether it can be or not, whether or not he will play at the World Cup” said Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez in a sobering press conference earlier today. The medical team was hopeful that the Liverpool man would make a full recovery ahead of the opening match, but this no longer seems to be the case with Tabarez adding that him appearing against England five days later would be “difficult”.
Yesterday, Uruguayan doctor Alberto Pan told the media that Suarez is not yet ruled out of the World Cup completely, but he refused to give a timeline for the strikers recovery. Regardless of whether he makes it to this summer’s showpiece event or not, Kopites around the globe will be hoping that this injury doesn’t hold any long term ramifications for the striker.
