World Cup 2014: Uruguay's Luis Suarez could face England

Luis Suarez (right) warmed up during the second half of Uruguay's opening-game defeat

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez could face England on Thursday after missing the surprise 3-1 defeat by Costa Rica, according to coach Oscar Tabarez.

The Liverpool player, 27, was an unused substitute in Fortaleza as he recovers from a knee operation on 21 May.

"It was his demand to be on the bench," said Tabarez. "It would have been very difficult for him to come on.

"We still have four days before we face England. If he improves there is a chance he may play."

Defeat by Costa Rica was a shock for two-time winners Uruguay, who were expected to challenge England and Italy for a place in the last 16.

Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto offered Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez a football shirt after the game

"It was a very hard, tough result. We didn't expect this to happen, conceding goals in situations where we hadn't before," said Tabarez.

"We still have the possibility to attack and continue. It is our identity as Uruguayans.

"It is not over. We have to improve against England and recover ground we have lost."

Costa Rica trailed 1-0 at half-time to Edinson Cavani's penalty, before a remarkable second-half turnaround.

Two goals in three minutes from Joel Campbell and Oscar Duarte gave Los Ticos the lead and Marcos Urena sealed victory before Uruguay had Maximiliano Pereira sent off.

Costa Rica boss Jorge Luis Pinto said: "We changed tactics, we decided to take a risk.

"We are prepared to go to war. We fell behind but at the same time we maintained a very high level of defence.

"We knew we had to face three big football nations. But this is a triumph."

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