Uruguay manager Diego Alonso has big decisions to make in attack for their World Cup opener against South Korea on Thursday.

While Luis Suarez is a certain starter up front, Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez may only start on the bench, given Alonso's recent selections of Facundo Pellistri and Giorgian de Arrascaeta to flank Suarez.

Nunez's explosive pace and strength may persuade Alonso to reconsider though, especially given Pellistri's non-existent game time at club level with Manchester United.

The reason for having only one central striker is because Alonso prefers to play with three central midfielders, and it is easy to see why given their strength in that area of the pitch.

Uruguay have the perfect mix of combative and creative midfielders, with Federico Valverde capable of doing both, as he is enjoying another stellar season with Real Madrid.

Matias Vecino and Lucas Torreira are tough fighters in the middle, while Rodrigo Bentancur is assured in possession and has found an eye for goal at Tottenham Hotspur.

Ronald Araujo is expected to be the only casualty for La Celeste, with the Barcelona defender not expected to be risked given the fact that he has been rushed back following thigh surgery to make the tournament.

That should mean Diego Godin will come in to win an extraordinary 160th cap for the national side, alongside his partner from the last two World Cups, Jose Maria Gimenez.

Another selection headache for Alonso comes in goal, as 36-year-old Fernando Muslera has recently lost his place in the side due to injury, with Sergio Rochet coming in to feature regularly under the new manager.

Muslera made a howler in their quarter-final defeat to France in 2018, and that is common with the Galatasaray keeper, but after 133 caps, it will be a brave decision by the boss to leave him out.

Damian Suarez is the only notable omission from their final squad after losing his place in the Getafe squad last month, so former Manchester United right-back Guillermo Varela looks set to start.

Uruguay possible starting lineup:
Rochet; Varela, Godin, Gimenez, Olivera; Bentancur, Vecino, Valverde; De Arrascaeta, L Suarez, Nunez

> Click here to see how South Korea could line up for this clash

Written by
Andrew Delaney