Suarez spearheads Uruguay squad for Copa America

Star striker Luis Suarez will make his first Copa America appearance in five years after being included in Uruguay's squad for next month's centenary edition of football's oldest continental tournament.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani and Atletico Madrid pair Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin were also named in Oscar Tabarez's 23-man squad on Friday, reports Xinhua.

Suarez missed last year's Copa America in Chile while serving a nine-game international ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Barcelona forward returned to international football by scoring in Uruguay's 2-2 draw with Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in March.

Suarez was named player of the tournament at the 2011 Copa America in Argentina, scoring four goals as Uruguay won the title for a 15th time.

The Copa America is usually held every four years and normally features only South American countries.

To mark its 100-year anniversary, the tournament is this year being held in the US and will include teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Uruguay begin their campaign against Mexico at the University of Phoenix Stadium on June 5.

Uruguay squad:

Goalkeepers: Martin Campana (Independiente), Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama)

Defenders: Sebastian Coates (Sporting Lisbon), Jorge Fucile (Nacional), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Pereira (Getafe), Maximiliano Pereira (Porto), Mauricio Victorino (Nacional)

Midfielders: Mathias Corujo (Universidad de Chile), Alvaro Gonzalez (Atlas), Nicolas Lodeiro (Boca Juniors), Gaston Ramirez (Middlesbrough), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Atlas), Cristian Rodriguez (Independiente), Carlos Sanchez (Monterrey), Matias Vecino (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain), Abel Hernandez (Hull City), Diego Rolan (Bordeaux), Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough), Luis Suarez (Barcelona).

--IANS

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