Uruguay captain Diego Lugano ruled out of England clash to open door for Liverpool defender Coates

Uruguay's defender Diego Lugano in action during a Group D football match between Uruguay and Costa Rica at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Uruguay captain Diego Lugano has been ruled out of his country’s World Cup Group D match against England tomorrow with a knee injury, reports Sky Sports.

Lugano, 33, was playing for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League last season but was released at the end of the campaign after failing to impress. He still made the Uruguay squad for the World Cup, though, and was going to start next to Diego Godin in central defence against England.

Uruguay lost 3-1 to Costa Rica on Saturday and will need to beat England to stand a good chance of going through, however, the Three Lions also need a win to guarantee they don’t go home early.

England lost 2-1 to Italy last week and have it all against them going into the Uruguay tie. While the south Americans were handed a boost by Luis Suarez’s fitness improvement, they have been hit with the blow that their captain will miss the game through injury.

It may also be bad news for England, too, considering many thought Lugano would be the weak link after struggling immensely in the Premier League last season.

Liverpool’s Sebastian Coates is likely to fill in for Lugano – where he could face Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling.