You can’t call us a one-man team, declares up-beat Suarez

LUIS Suarez has highlighted Edinson Cavani’s importance to Uruguay but also that “things don’t depend on just one player” ahead of Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against France.

Cavani scored both goals in Saturday’s 2-1 last-16 victory over Portugal before being forced off with an injury.

Yesterday, the Uruguayan talisman returned to training, giving rise to optimism he could defy the odds and make it for the huge clash with the French.

Uruguay didn’t give any indication about his chances of being ready for the French test at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, saying only that they are “monitoring his progress.”

They added: “The player remains injured. He will train apart from the rest of the squad and receive physical therapy.”

On Monday, the Uruguayan Football Association had given an update on the Paris St Germain striker’s condition, saying a scan had shown swelling in his left leg but no muscle tear, and that he was still sore.

And 24 hours later, an image posted on the team’s official Twitter feed showed him apparently doing work in the gym.

But despite conflicting indicators regarding Cavani’s prospects, reports continue to circulate that he has no chance of making the clash.

If Cavani doesn’t recover in time, coach Oscar Tabarez is expected to replace him with exMiddlesbrough forward Cristhian Stuani.

Meanwhile Brazil coach Tite has confirmed that Real Madrid full-back Marcelo will return to the side to face Belgium in their World Cup quarter-final on Friday.

Marcelo was forced off early on in Brazil’s final group game as they beat Serbia to assure themselves of top spot in Group E, before the same back problem cost him a place in the team that beat Mexico 2-0.

A soft mattress at the team hotel has been blamed for aggravating the issue but Tite revealed during his press conference in Kazan on the eve of the quarterfinal that the 30-year-old will replace Felipe Luis against Belgium.

“I talked to Marcelo and Filipe Luis,” said Tite.

“Marcelo left (against Serbia) because of a clinical problem and he has not been back because of a physical problem, he only had 45 to 60 minutes. Filipe Luis played very well in those matches but Marcelo is coming back.”

The Brazil coach went on to confirm that Fernandinho will also come into the side.