Uruguay keep injured Suarez in Copa America squad

Luis Suarez will join up with Uruguay's national squad for next month's Copa America in the US despite suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Barcelona on Sunday.

The 29-year-old striker tore his right hamstring during the Blaugrana's 2-0 victory over Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final in Madrid.

Scans on Monday confirmed he will be sidelined for at least three weeks, ruling him out of the Copa America group stage.

"Following the recommendations of the club's medical services team, [Suarez] will begin his rehabilitation in Barcelona," the Catalan club said in a statement on Monday.

"On June 1, Suarez will join the Uruguay national team in the United States, where he'll continue with the second phase of his recovery."

Uruguay will start their Copa America campaign against Mexico at the University of Phoenix Stadium on June 5. The knockout phase of the tournament will begin on June 16.

Uruguay team doctor Alberto Pan said he was confident Suarez would be fit for the competition's second stage, should Uruguay progress.

"He will travel directly to the United States," Pan told reporters. "The coach [Oscar] Tabarez agreed to select him to have him in any stage of the Copa America."

Suarez missed the 2015 Copa America while serving a nine-game ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup. He returned to the national team in March, scoring in their 2-2 draw against Brazil in a World Cup qualifier. Endit