Uruguay wait on Lugano and Lodeiro

Uruguay are waiting on the fitness of skipper Diego Lugano and midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, who face a race to get fit for Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands after picking up knocks in Friday’s nailbiting shootout win over Ghana.

Medical staff said Saturday that defender Jorge Ciro Fucile was meanwhile still under observation after suffering an awkward fall during the Ghana game.

“He is okay. He suffered concussion after bumping his head, neck and shoulder but he did not lose consciousness. But we have to take care of his state of health,” team doctor Alberto Pan said.

A booking means that Fucile will miss the Dutch encounter anyway through suspension, as will striker Luis Suarez, who was given a straight red for handling on the line right at the death.

Asamoah Gyan missed his spotkick for the Ghanaians and the Uruguayans regrouped to win the match on penalties to advance to their first semi-final since 1970.

Key defender Lugano earlier had gone off with an injured right knee to be replaced by Andres Scotti.

“He has bruising in his right knee – he will have a scan,” Pan said as the squad trained at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday.

Pan added that Lodeiro has a bruised foot and will have tests, concluding that both he and Lugano were doubts for Tuesday’s match at this stage.