Cavani remains a major doubt for Uruguay

Edinson Cavani remains a major doubt for Uruguay’s World Cup quarter-final with France after coach Oscar Tabarez refused to provide an update on the striker’s injury.

Cavani scored both goals in Uruguay’s 2-1 last-16 win over Portugal before being helped off the pitch by Cristiano Ronaldo after picking up a calf problem.

The Paris St Germain player trained separately from his team-mates yesterday ahead of today’s last-eight clash with Les Bleus in Nizhny Novgorod.

Tabarez, 71, believes the media have been given sufficient information about Cavani’s condition and is unhappy about constant speculation and the perceived agendas of some journalists.

“We issued a press release explaining exactly what kind of exams he had to go through and nobody respected it,” said Tabarez.

“People started asking other professionals, people who are not here and don’t know what is going on.

“I’m not going to say anything else about Cavani because I have already given enough information and I don’t want to get into games that are convenient for certain journalists who have a style I don’t share.

“In less than 24 hours you will know who will play.”

Cavani’s absence would be a massive blow for the two-time winners.

The 31-year-old has continued his prolific partnership with Luis Suarez in Russia, scoring three times to help his team record four successive victories.

France, world champions in 1998, are also unbeaten following their first four games and will provide a stern test.

A semi-final against Brazil or Belgium awaits the winner.