Paolo can be Dane-buster
PERU are ready to throw captain Paolo Guerrero straight in against Denmark.
Striker Guerrero, his country’s all-time top scorer, was due to miss the tournament following a drugs ban.
And after being cleared to play by a Swiss judge, questions have been raised over whether the 34-year-old would be fit enough to turn out in Saransk today.
But Peru boss Ricardo Gareca has no doubts over Guerrero and said: “Whatever happened in the past, Paolo is very, very fit.
“He is training at a very high level and he really is ready to play.
“Paolo is playing very well and he is very, very happy, preparing, and in a very good situation.”
Peru, making their first appearance in the finals since 1982, know stopping Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen will be crucial.
The Spurs star topped the scoring charts in qualifying for Denmark with 11 goals and Gareca added: “Eriksen is a very important player, very well known.
“We have to be able to face players like him.
“But we also have players at that level.
“He won’t be the only player we have to concentrate on.
“Competing against players like him will allow us to grow and learn.” The Danes are on a record 14-match unbeaten run and Eriksen insists he can handle the pressure of carrying his nation’s hopes on his shoulders. He said: “I’ve played a lot for the national team already and I know the pressure and how to cope with it.
“I’m actually going into the World Cup feeling relaxed and trying to put in some good showings in the big games.”