Suarez: 'I am 100 per cent fit'

16 June 2014 20:17

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez says he is completely fit and ready to expose England's 'defensive deficiencies' in Sao Paulo on Thursday.

Suarez sat out Uruguay's shock defeat to Costa Rica on Saturday due to a knee injury, but he is now back in full training and ready to face Roy Hodgson's men in their Group D clash.

It appears Suarez was not impressed by England's defending in their 2-1 defeat to Italy on Saturday and he hopes to puncture their back line when the two nations meet later this week.

"I know all the players in the England squad, I know some of them because they are team-mates or rivals," Suarez was quoted as saying by Uruguayan website Ovaciondigital.com.

"They have defensive deficiencies and we can take advantage of them."

A knee injury that Suarez suffered on the final day of the season flared up in Uruguay's pre-World Cup training camp.

The 27-year-old had to have surgery on the knee but he insists there was never any doubt about his participation in the tournament.

"At no moment did I think I would lose the chance of playing in the World Cup. I've never thought that during my recovery," said Suarez, who scored 27 Premier League goals last season.

"Now I am 100 per cent."

Suarez trained with his team-mates at Uruguay's base on the outskirts of Belo Horizonte on Monday.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez refused to say whether Suarez would definitely start against England, though.

"It is a possibility, I can say no more," Tabarez told a press conference.

Suarez, meanwhile, has told Uruguay supporters to keep the faith despite Saturday's 3-1 loss to Costa Rica.

"Keep believing in us," he said when asked to give a message to fans. "We want to give you a lift."

Uruguay will definitely be without defender Maximiliano Pereira for the England match as he was sent off at the end of the Costa Rica game.

Source: PA