Uruguay talisman Diego Forlan played the World Cup semifinal against the Netherlands with an injury that forced coach Oscar Tabarez to substitute him before the end.
Forlan, who on Tuesday ruled out a return to the English Premier League, quashing the hopes of Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, was carrying the knock from the start.
“From the first minute Forlan had a problem. He was injured and could not continue,” Tabarez said of the Atletico Madrid striker.
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He had a pain and during the match we took a decision to try another man who was fresh.
“It was nothing really serious but it was clear that he was not 100 per cent fit towards the end.”
Forlan scored a wonder goal during the 3-2 loss, striking the ball from 35 yards past Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
He now faces a race against time to be ready for their third-place play-off against either Germany or Spain on Saturday in Port Elizabeth. — AFP