Cavani misses China Cup for Uruguay with thigh injury

Montevideo (AFP) – Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani has been ruled out of next week’s China Cup after failing to recover in time from a thigh injury, the Uruguayan Football Association announced on Wednesday.

Oscar Tabarez’s 23-man squad travel to Nanning to take on take on China, Uzbekistan and Thailand in the tournament, which runs between March 18-26.

“Cavani is not fit enough to be selected in the Uruguayan selection for the China Cup because of a right quadriceps injury from which he is still recovering,” Uruguay’s medical team said.

Cavani picked up the knock after scoring the only goal in Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-0 Ligue 1 win over Bordeaux in early February, and his only playing time since was two desperate injury-time minutes during PSG’s dramatic Champions League exit to Manchester United last week.

He also missed Tuesday night’s 4-0 win at Dijon. 

Cavani’s absence means Barcelona striker Luis Suarez will lead the line for Uruguay, who are defending their China Cup title.

The 23-man Uruguay squad for the China Cup:

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galastasaray/TUR), Martin Silva (Libertad/PAR), Martin Campana (Independiente/ARG)

Defenders: Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Sebastian Coates (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Giovanni Gonzalez (Penarol), Martin Caceres (Juventus/ITA), Mathias Suarez (Montpellier/FRA)

Midfielders: Diego Laxalt (AC Milan/ITA), Nahitan Nandez (Boca Juniors/ARG), Lucas Torreira (Arsenal/ENG), Matias Vecino (Inter Milan/ITA), Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus/ITA), Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders/USA), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid/ESP), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo/BRA), Marcelo Saracchi (Leipzig/GER)

Forwards: Cristhian Stuani (Girona/ESP), Gaston Pereiro (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Jonathan Rodriguez (Cruz Azul/MEX), Maximiliano Gomez (Celta Vigo/ESP), Luis Suarez (Barcelone/ESP)

Coach: Oscar Tabarez