Uruguay bank on youth in Luis Suarez absence for Copa America

Rio de Janeiro, May 12 (IANS): Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has named inexperienced pair Jonathan Rodriguez and Diego Rolan in his preliminary Copa America squad as he seeks attacking reinforcements in the absence of striker Luis Suarez.

Bordeaux forward Diego Rolan, 22, has just six caps to his name while 21-year-old Benfica's Rodriguez has five, reports Xinhua.

Suarez will miss the June 11-July 4 tournament due to a nine-match international ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during last year's World Cup.

French club Paris Saint-Germain forward Edison Cavani leads an attack that also includes Spanish side Espanyol's Cristian Stuani and English team Hull City's Abel Hernandez.

Tabarez will cut his squad to 23 players before the tournament.

Defending champions Uruguay have been drawn in the same group as Jamaica, Argentina and Paraguay.

Uruguay squad:

Goalkeepers: Rodrigo Munoz (Libertad), Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray) Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama)

Defenders: Matias Aguirregaray (Estudiantes), Sebastian Coates (Sunderland), Mathias Corujo (Universidad de Chile), Jorge Fucile (Nacional), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Pereira (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica) Gaston Silva (Torino), Emiliano Velazquez (Getafe)

Midfielders: Egidio Arevalo (Tigres), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Cruzeiro), Walter Gargano (Napoli), Alvaro Gonzalez (Torino), Nicolas Lodeiro (Boca Juniors), Camilo Mayada (River Plate), Guzman Pereira (Universidad de Chile), Cristian Rodriguez (no club) Carlos Sanchez (River Plate)

Forwards: Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain), Abel Hernandez (Hull City), Jonathan Rodriguez (Benfica), Diego Rolan (Bordeaux), Cristian Stuani (Espanyol).