Wednesday 18 June 2014 18:33, UK
Uruguay captain Diego Lugano has been ruled out of Thursday's Group D clash with England with a knee injury.
The 33-year-old, who spent last season at West Brom before being released, has been prevented from training properly by a pain in his left knee, according to a statement from the Uruguayan Football Association.
A statement on Wednesday from the Uruguayan camp outside Belo Horizonte read: "He has suffered pain in his left knee... which has intensified in recent days, preventing his proper sporting performance.
"An MRI scan has found no specific problems which would require surgical treatment. He will receive physiotherapy and his progress will be monitored."
Lugano, 33, had spoken to reporters on Monday sounding upbeat and determined before the game in Sao Paulo that both teams view as a must-win after losing their respective openers. "It's life or death," he said.
Lugano - who has won 95 caps and scored nine goals - will be a big miss for Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, who expects to have Luis Suarez available after he missed the 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica.
