Luiz Suarez is major doubt for World Cup as Liverpool star faces knee surgery to leave Uruguay fearing worst ahead of England clash

Luis Suarez is set to miss the World Cup after it was revealed he will undergo surgery imminently on a knee injury picked up in training on Wednesday.

The striker - who was voted PFA Player of the Year for his performances at Liverpool this season - is Uruguay's talisman but could miss up to between four to six weeks.

And, in a direct boost to England's chances of progressing out of Group D, Suarez may miss the entirety of the first stage after immediate surgery today following results of an MRI scan, according to reports in Uruguay.

Out? Luis Suarez could miss the World Cup after it was revealed he needs surgery on a knee injury

Major blow: Suarez is Uruguay's talisman and is set to miss the whole of the first stage

A Uruguay FA official said: ‘It was all unexpected. The latest information is that we are deciding what to do, but there are increased possibilities (involving surgery).

'I can’t tell you anything more. The AUF (Uruguay Federation) will announce it officially on Thursday morning.’

The South American's are fancied as potential dark horses and face Roy Hodgson's side as well as Italy and Costa Rica.

Suarez was checked over by medical staff on Wednesday after picking up the knock in training just three weeks before the tournament starts in Brazil.

Recovery time from such arthroscopic surgery usually takes between 15-20 days, but with the final 23-man squad needed to be ratified on June 2, it leaves the country with very little wiggle room.

Any decision to include Suarez from there - not match fit - would represent a sizeable risk.

They won't be encouraged to know that Fernando Torres underwent meniscus surgery prior to the 2010 World Cup in April and didn't play his first game for seven weeks.

Luis Suarez training with Uruguay recently before his injury

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It's your time again: Diego Forlan is set to become even more involved in the Uruguay frontline this summer

Knock: The Liverpool striker picked up the injury on Wednesday and was immediately sent for an MRI scan

Upset: The 27-year-old is having meniscus surgery on Thursday and could miss up to six weeks

Main man: Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani will have the task of firing the South Americans to glory

URUGUAY'S FRONTMEN

Luis Suarez: (77 caps, 38 goals)
Edinson Cavani: (60 caps, 20 goals)
Diego Forlan: (107 caps, 36 goals)
Christian Stuani: (66 caps, 13 goals)
Abel Hernandez: (11 caps, 7 goals)

The 27-year-old arrived in Montevideo for training on Tuesday morning, feeling discomfort in a session with Oscar Tabarez's squad on Wednesday but continuing before encountering the major problem later in the evening.

Roberto Pastoriza, executive of the Uruguayan Football Association, confirmed that they had attempted to keep the news under wraps.

Developments heap more pressure on Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani, who will lead the line when they face Costa Rica on June 14.

Veteran Diego Forlan - so impressive in South Africa four years ago - was expected to play a bit-part role but may now be needed alongside Cavani.

They do still have other options, with Espanyol's Christian Stuani and Palermo's Abel Hernandez waiting in the wings.