Forlan set to start for Uruguay despite injury scare

May 29, 2012 9:21:00 PM

A foot complaint had forced the veteran out of practice on Monday, but he showed no ill-effects and is expected to take the field in Saturday's World Cup qualifier

Inter striker Diego Forlan looks set start alongside Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez in an attacking Uruguay line-up to take on Venezuela, having shrugged off an injury that had kept him from training normally earlier in the week.

The 33-year-old, who has struggled for form since moving to Milan from Atletico Madrid in 2011, left Monday's practice after complaining of a foot injury, and was considered a doubt for Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Montevideo.

However, Ovacion confirmed that he trained alongside his colleagues without feeling the problem on Tuesday, and should be ready to take on the Vinotinto.

Forlan is expected to take his place in a familiar-looking Uruguay side, with no major changes from that which won the 2011 Copa America and picked up seven points from their first three qualifying fixtures.

One doubt remains over what formation coach Oscar Tabarez will use, with the trainer remaining tight-lipped about his plans when questioned on Tuesday.

'El Maestro' has the option of utilising new Juventus signing Martin Caceres as an orthodox left-back and pushing Alvaro Pereira further up the field, or moving the defender alongside Diego Lugano and Diego Godin as part of a back three which would leave the Porto defender and Maxi Pereira as offensive wing-backs.

"This group is very clear about what it wants to achieve," replied Tabarez when asked what scheme he would use, also stating that he was pleased with what he saw from Forlan and Lugano despite a comparative lack of playing time with their clubs.

Probable Uruguay XI vs. Venezuela (4-3-3 or 3-4-3):

Muslera; M. Pereira, Godin, Lugano, Caceres, A. Pereira, Rios Arevalo, Perez, Forlan, Cavani, Suarez.

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