Gerrard doubts Uruguay, even with Suarez fit
HAVING been put to the sword by Costa Rica, England captain Steven Gerrard believes Uruguay are beatable, even if Liverpool clubmate Luis Suarez recovers from a knee injury in time to feature.
The losers of Thursday’s clash are almost certain to face an early World Cup exit following the first round of results in Group D.
Suarez missed his team’s surprise 3-1 humbling on Saturday as he continues to recover from a recent knee operation and, though Gerrard anticipates lining up against him, he feels England should still triumph.
“I expect him to be involved in some capacity so they have really good firepower up front, but we’ve seen against Costa Rica they are certainly beatable,” said Gerrard.
“They concede goals and if we attack like we did against Italy we will cause Uruguay big problems.
“This is about us now. It’s about how we react in defeat. It’s important we raise ourselves for a very important game against Italy.”
England’s goalscorer against Italy Daniel Sturridge believes he let his mother and the rest of the country down and is determined to put that right on Thursday.
Sturridge netted his fifth England goal on the eve of his mum’s birthday, but was “heartbroken” to finish on the losing side.
“I’m gutted we didn’t win the game because I feel like I’ve let, not just everyone in England, but my family down as well,” he said.
“But I’m excited for the next game as I know we can do a job on them if we play like we did against Italy, so it’s a good feeling.”
England will have to do without physio Gary Lewin for the remainder of the tournament, with the 50-year-old set to fly home for surgery having broken and dislocated his ankle when celebrating Sturridge’s equaliser.
Lewin has worked with England at five World Cups and his duties will now be fulfilled by Steve Kemp.
The former Arsenal physio said: “I’m absolutely devastated to be going home.”