Uruguay star Luis Suarez is a major doubt for the 2014 World Cup as he is set to undergo a surgery on an injured knee.
The highly rated forward picked up a meniscus problem during training on Wednesday and he is set for an emergency operation in an attempt to repair the damage.
Suarez is set to miss at least two or three weeks of training, but Uruguay officials are confident he will recover in time to play a part at the World Cup.
“It was all unexpected. The latest information is that we are deciding what to do, but there are increased possibilities (involving surgery),” A Uruguay FA official was quoted as saying.
“I can’t tell you anything more. The AUF (Uruguay Federation) will announce it officially on Thursday morning.”
With La Celeste facing Costa Rica on 14 June in their opening fixture, the striker faces a race against time to play at the tournament finals.
Uruguay desperately need to win their opening match if they are to have any chance of progressing to the next stage and they are 1.40 (2/5) to defeat Costa Rica.
HOT! Weekly cashback betting offers for different markets 
