While the goalkeeper laughed off his bed-bug scare, he was quick to state that Uruguay will treat Costa Rica with the utmost seriousness in their opening World Cup clash

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was given an unwelcome scare on Thursday evening, when he found his bed had been invaded by a swarm of ants.

The Galatasaray goalkeeper tweeted about the incident, but in a press conference on Friday ahead of his nation’s World Cup opener against Costa Rica, he was quick to laugh off the night-time invasion.

“It was a comical situation because I found ants in my bed,” he said. “But nothing happened. People came, changed the bedsheets and we resolved it. I had a good night’s sleep.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s fixture, he was keen to stress that his side will be treating their Central American opponents with the utmost respect.

“It’s an extremely important match but we don’t believe that Costa Rica are weak – we have great respect for them. Obviously to win the first match is important. It gives confidence for the games ahead.

“We don’t feel like favourites. We know the first game is difficult. To have a good result takes a burden from shoulders. We feel fit and we’re well prepared.”

Uruguay finished third in 2010, and the shot-stopper believes his side can replicate such a success.

“We have experience from South Africa. Since then, we’ve made international achievements, we’ve grown a lot,” he stated. “We know we have the ability to go far. But we know we have tough rivals ahead. We have to be cool and calm. In Uruguay, there is an advert about humility and modestly, and that sums it up well.”

After facing Costa Rica on Saturday, Uruguay face England and Italy respectively in their other Group D encounters.

The coaches of both countries insist there will be no problems with the playing surface at the Arena da Amazonia following reports of barren and uneven patches in certain sections

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli and midfielder Antonio Candreva have followed England counterparts Roy Hodgson and Steven Gerrard in rubbishing reports of a sub-standard pitch at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus.

Suggestions that groundstaff had covered bald areas of the playing surface using green spray paint were circulated in the media in both countries earlier in the week, while pictures emerged of bumpy and uneven sections.

Officials from Fifa and local authorities played down any issues and insisted work would be done up until the last minute to ensure everything would be ready in time for the first match in the Amazon city.

The pitch appeared to be in much better condition than reported during open training sessions for both nations on Friday evening, and all four men presented to the media insist that they were given false impressions by erroneous reports.

“Regarding the pitch, the turf had been described to me as being in very bad condition but it’s actually in very good condition,” Prandelli said.

Candreva, who replaced Gianluigi Buffon at the press conference after the goalkeeper picked up a “very slight ankle twist” in training, echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“It’s a beautiful stadium, the local people are very enthusiastic and the pitch is very close to the fans. The pitch had been described very negatively but I actually think that the turf is in very good condition to be able to play an excellent game.”

England players train on the pitch at the Arena da Amazonia, Manaus

England boss Roy Hodgson also praised the pitch, insisting that it will facilitate an open, exciting match.

“I’ve just been on it now, it’s fine, it’s very flat, I don’t see any reason to be concerned about it at all,” he said. “I think it will play well and suit both teams. The grass is short and it will be possible to play good football on it.”

When Three Lions captain Gerrard was asked about the newspaper reports regarding the problems, he responded: “With experience I have learned to wait until I can get on the pitch myself, it’s easy to get the wrong impression and believe the wrong thing.

“I’ve just been on it and it’s perfectly fine. The sun is off the pitch at 16:30 and we’re kicking off at 18:00 [on Saturday]. It’s very zippy and it will make for a fantastic game.”

Both manager and captain insist there will be no problems with the playing surface at the Arena da Amazonia following reports of barren and uneven patches in certain sections

England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Steven Gerrard have moved to dismiss reports of a sub-standard pitch at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus ahead of their World Cup opener against Italy on Saturday.

Suggestions that groundstaff had covered bald areas of the playing surface using green spray paint were circulated in the media in both countries earlier in the week, while pictures emerged of bumpy and uneven sections.

Officials from Fifa and local authorities played down any issues and insisted work would be done up until the last minute to ensure everything would be ready in time for the first match in the city.

The pitch appeared to be in much better condition than reported during England’s open training session on Friday evening, and both Gerrard and Hodgson insist there will be no problem.

“I’ve just been on it now, it’s fine, it’s very flat, I don’t see any reason to be concerned about it at all,” Hodgson told the media. “I think it will play well and suit both teams. The grass is short and it will be possible to play good football on it.”

When Three Lions captain Gerrard was asked about the newspaper reports regarding the pitch, he responded: “With experience I have learned to wait until I can get on the pitch myself, it’s easy to get the wrong impression and beleive the wrong thing.

“I’ve just been on it and it’s perfectly fine. The sun is off the pitch at 16:30 and we’re kicking off at 18:00 [on Saturday]. It’s very zippy and it will make for a fantastic game.”

England players train on the pitch at the Arena da Amazonia, Manaus

Much had been made of the tropical conditions in Manaus, situated in the heart of the Amazon jungle, but Gerrard is confident he and his team-mates have prepared as well as they possibly can in hot climates in Portugal and the United States of America.

“We have to be cute and clever and take the conditions into consideration but we’re not worried about the pitch or the conditions, it’s the same for both teams.”