The PFA and FWA Player of the Year thanked fans for their support as he prepares to try to help Oscar Tabarez’s Uruguay side claim their third world title

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is optimistic about his recovery from knee surgery as he looks to play a full role in Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.
The forward was a doubt for the competition after going under the knife in May, but having travelled to Brazil with his international team-mates he looks set to be fit for the majority of the competition.

And though he admitted he is still having to work hard each day in preparation for the tournament, he thanked his fans for all the messages of support he has received.

“Hello to everyone, I wanted to tell you that the knee is getting better. I feel very good,” he told 888Poker.

“I have to go day-by-day but everything is going the right way. I wanted to thank you all for the support I received this week and now my mind is focussed on the World Cup.

“A big hug, thanks a lot again and Arriba Uruguay!”

Oscar Tabarez’s side take on Costa Rica on Saturday in their tournament opener before matches against England and Italy in Group D.

The England midfielder left training early on Monday but the manager insists he has no fitness problems, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is stepping up his recovery from injury

England manager Roy Hodgson insists Steven Gerrard has no injury issues despite the midfielder leaving midway through an open training session on Monday.

Gerrard pulled out of the session shortly after completing a couple of light jogs away from the squad, throwing his participation in England’s opening game with Italy into doubt.

But Hodgson says “there is nothing wrong” with the Liverpool midfielder ahead of Saturday’s clash.

“There is nothing wrong with Steven Gerrard,” he told reporters.

“I don’t really understand [claims Gerrard is unfit].

“My understanding is yesterday he did some extra work. There is absolutely nothing wrong with him.”

Meanwhile, Hodgson is hopeful Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be fit to face Uruguay in England’s second match in Group D, with the Arsenal midfielder stepping up his recovery after suffering a knee injury in a pre-World Cup friendly against Ecuador.

“Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did well yesterday and we will be stepping up his training programme during the course of the week,” he added.

“The medics are hopeful he will be fit by the second game [against Uruguay].”

The Uruguay international has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and the Italian coach has refused to rule out a summer bid for the striker, who enjoyed a stunning 2013-14

Carlo Ancelotti claims Luis Suarez is a “fantastic player” and has refused to rule out a move for the Liverpool forward.

Suarez scored 31 Premier League goals in a stunning 2013-14 season – despite agitating for a transfer in the summer – and has been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid, with the Champions League winners reportedly earmarking the star to be their next ‘Galactico’ signing.

Having spent €106 million [£86m] on Gareth Bale last summer, Real are believed to be keen to land another marquee signing and, while Ancelotti says it would be “disrespectful” to talk up a move, he has hinted that Real will be active in the summer transfer window.

“It is difficult to improve what we have,” he told reporters. “Luis Suarez is a fantastic player, but it is disrespectful to talk about a transfer now.

“We’re in no rush and we don’t need to bring in a lot of players. We have until August 31.”

Meanwhile, Alvaro Morata is set to leave Real on loan, thus opening up a berth in Real’s squad for the 2014-15 season, though Iker Casillas is set to stay put, with Ancelotti claiming “Casillas is very happy” to stay in the Spanish capital.