Cavani the star for winding-down Uruguay

MARTIN O’NEILL may be hoping to use today’s clash as a springboard to three points in next Sunday’s crunch World Cup qualifier with Austria but opposite number Oscar Tabarez has admitted that Uruguay have little to play for at this stage of the season.

Talisman Luis Suarez did not travel because of injury and captain Diego Godin has also been excused from duty.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Edison Cavani will be the star attraction for the visitors while Liverpool fans will recognise defender Sebastian Coates who was a flop at Anfield after Kenny Dalglish signed him in the summer of 2011.

Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez, who is being linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United is also part of the squad

Tabarez (left), whose side play Italy on Wednesday, has said that keeping players focused will be a challenge.

‘It’s quite difficult to play in June in this type of fixture,’ he said. ‘Because all of the domestic tournaments are over, the players need to rest to begin again next season.

‘But also it is a good opportunity to meet the players because we usually only see them every two months. So we will respect the game for our opponents and the fans and we want to bring our best team possible.’

Uruguay are not back in competitive action until the end of August when they resume their World Cup qualifying campaign with a home clash against Argentina.

They are currently third in the South American section, a point ahead of the 2014 runners-up who recently appointed Jorge Sampaoli as their new boss.