Luis Suarez will miss Uruguay's second match of
the Copa America Centenario against Venezuela
after struggling to shake off his hamstring
problem, coach Oscar Tabarez confirmed on
Wednesday.
Uruguay face Venezuela on Thursday in Group C
in Philadelphia aiming to bounce back after
suffering defeat to Mexico in their opening match
on Sunday.
But Uruguay will head into the crucial game – a
second defeat would almost certainly see them
eliminated – without Suarez once more as the
Barcelona star works his way back from a
hamstring injury.
"Luis Suarez is still in recovery, it's the 17th day,
and he is still not ready. That being the case, he
will not play," Tabarez told a press conference.
The veteran Uruguay coach even suggested
Suarez may not take any part in the tournament,
hinting he could be held back to ensure his
fitness for upcoming World Cup qualifying games.
Uruguay currently lead South America's 2018
qualifying standings after six games.
"He's an important player and this is an
important competition but the most important
thing for us are the qualifying games for the
World Cup," Tabarez said. "We are in the lead
and the contribution of Suarez will be very
important."
Suarez, 29, injured his right hamstring on May 22
in Barcelona's Copa del Rey victory over Sevilla.
Suarez is desperate to play in the Copa America
after missing out on last year's tournament as he
served his global suspension for biting Italy
defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 World Cup.
Tabarez meanwhile said he is confident Uruguay
can recover against Venezuela in a match he
billed as "a kind of final."
"I've got a good idea about the team I will pick
and the situation we're in. We know what to do
to win this final," Tabarez said.
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