Luis Suárez has reportedly warned his English Liverpool teammates he will be fit to face them at the World Cup next month.
Suárez, the PFA and FWA Player of the Year, underwent meniscus surgery last Thursday, and despite that setback he remains adamant he will recover in time for Uruguay's second match against the Three Lions on 19 June.
According to The Times, Suárez has even sent text messages to club colleagues, who form the largest contingent of the England squad, promising he will be on the pitch in São Paulo. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge were all selected in Roy Hodgson's 23-man party and four of them, at least, are expected to start for England at the Brazil finals.
Coming to get you: Suárez is desperate to face England at the World Cup
Alberto Pan, the Uruguayan national team doctor, refused to specify a return date for Suárez but was optimistic.
"Luis is evolving well,” Pan said. "It is very risky to give exact dates. We cannot have absolute certainty or clear numbers but the post-operative period has been very good. Today, Luis is not feeling any pain; he’s working on his muscles and putting only the essential pressure on his leg."
"Everybody is obviously disappointed for Luis, especially people that know him, because he is a big player for Uruguay," he added. "I gave him a text and wished him good luck with whatever he has got to have done. I am sure, knowing the type of person he is, that he will be fit. He is a fighter and I am sure come maybe the first game or the second game in the World Cup he will be ready and raring to go."
England host Peru at Wembley on Friday before flying to Miami to face Ecuador and Honduras in their final two pre-tournament friendlies.