The Liverpool forward has been recovering from a knee injury for the past three weeks and insists that if he does feature on Thursday it is because he is fully fit

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez says he will only play against England on Thursday if he is 100 per cent fit, but admitted he did not want to risk coming off the bench during the defeat to Costa Rica.

Suarez has been building up his fitness since having knee surgery at the end of May, and was forced to watch from the sidelines on Saturday as his side were humbled 3-1 by los Ticos.

Oscar Tabarez’s men now face a crucial second-round match with the Three Lions, who also suffered defeat in their first outing, and Suarez insists that if he features it is only because he is ready for action.

“I wanted to go on and help out [against Costa Rica], but it was better to stay off. I could’ve gone on and my knee could’ve played up,” he told the press on Monday.

“At no point did I think I would miss the World Cup. I have not missed one day of recovery work, and if I am going to play it’s because I am at 100%.”

Following an interview in the British press last week, the Liverpool striker once again stated that he knows the weaknesses of the English defence, but would still not reveal his exact plans.

“I know all the players in the England team, either as team-mates or rivals,” he added. “They have defensive weaknesses that we can take advantage of, but I am not going to say in front of the press how to play against them.

“I still have faith in the team, we are the first ones who want to improve the situation that we are in.”