Uruguay coach, Oscar Tabarez, has revealed that his side will not be starting with Luis Suarez in Saturday’s opening game against Costa Rica.

The Liverpool star underwent minor knee surgery in May and his race for fitness has dominated the Tabarez’s side’s preparations for the tournament.

Veteran striker Diego Forlan will partner Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani for the Group D opener, with Suarez expected to make an appearance from the bench.

“We don’t want to pressure him. We’ve been preparing to play this match without Luis,” Tabarez said.

“He is recovering very well, but we have to be very careful and manage things.”

“We are increasing his pace of recovery and up until now there have been no glitches.”

“We don’t want to jump the gun,” he said.

“We have prepared not to have him, but it would be wonderful to have him. We have to be very careful,” the Uruguay coach concluded.