England’s Glen Johnson says Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has told him he will be fit in time to face the Three Lions at the World Cup.
The two nations face off on 19 June in what will be both teams’ second match of the tournament in Brazil.
27-year-old Suarez, the scorer of 31 Premier League goals for club side Liverpool this season, underwent knee surgery last week amid fears he would miss the competition entirely.
England’s Glen Johnson says Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has told him he will be fit in time to face the Three Lions at the World Cup.
The two nations face off on 19 June in what will be both teams’ second match of the tournament in Brazil.
27-year-old Suarez, the scorer of 31 Premier League goals for club side Liverpool this season, underwent knee surgery last week amid fears he would miss the competition entirely.
Though that now seems unlikely, he still remains a doubt for the opening matches of the finals but Johnson, 29, said the Uruguayan himself is confident he will make it.
“I spoke to him in the week. He doesn’t think it is that bad so he thinks he will be okay,” Johnson told the English media today.
“On a personal level I don’t want to see him injured, he is a good lad and I get on well with him.”
Should Suarez’s words prove correct and he does line up against Roy Hodgson’s men, he would also likely be fit to face Italy. The Azzurri are due to take on Uruguay on 24 June in their final and potentially decisive Group D encounter.