Uruguay: World Cup player by player

Two-times champions Uruguay are back in the finals for the first time since 1990 and have a young squad this time around.

GOALKEEPERS

FABIAN CARINI

Carini played in 19 of the twenty qualifiers to reach the finals and has been one of Uruguay's best players. He is often linked with a move away from Juventus where he stands no chance of first team action ahead of Gianluigi Buffon despite being a world class goalkeeper himself. Great all-round game and admirable consistency.

GUSTAVO MUNUA

Loses lots in comparison to Carini and an unexceptional performer. He is the regular second choice and competent.

FEDERICO ELDUAYEN

Young player being brought by coach Victor Pua for experience. Good club form with Penarol who provide two defenders for the squad has led to his inclusion.

DEFENDERS

PAOLO MONTERO

An outright dirty stopper for Juventus whose dismal disciplinary record for the Turin club is not repeated in the international arena despite regular volatile matches in South America. For Pua he is a much calmer figure and even for Juve his wildest days seem behind him as Montero assumes the mantle of team leader. Excellent in the air and a dominating tackler who favours the left side of the team.

GONZALO SORONDO

Centre back who is the usual partner for Montero and he had an excellent season for Inter although he was not always a first choice. Good in the air but mobile and improving in his use of the ball.

JOE BIZERA

Fast centre back who could be one of the revelations for Uruguay if they start to make progress. A player who may not be at his peak yet but he is a great other option in defence for Pua and could be used as a substitute as the defence is very settled and impressive.

GUSTAVO MENDEZ

First choice for Nacional and played in eight of the qualifiers. Used as cover for the other back positions although favours wide action.

ALEJANDRO LEMBO

It is Lembo or Sorondo who will partner Montero in the middle of the defence for Pua but he is in form and attracting interest from European clubs. He works with Mendez at club level and slots in well alongside Montero whose form dictates the tempo of the Uruguayan defence.

DARIO RODRIGUEZ

The first choice left back for Pua who can also be pushed into midfield. He defends well and can raid down the wing to cross for strikers and his tidy game based on possession links the play well.

MIDFIELDERS

PABLO GARCIA

The centre of midfield belongs to Garcia whose hard work and passing ability has seen him become the payer who guides most of the side's best moves. Well balanced runner who favours the left side to pass, he can also protect the defence and win the ball with good tackling.

GONZALO De los SANTOS

Defensive midfielder who is used to break up play and is effective and ruthless at accomplishing this. Pua likes his defensive attributes and he can intimidate the opposition. More likely to tackle wildly than Montero although both can hunt in tandem.

GIANNI GUIGOU

AS Roma midfielder who can play anywhere across the midfield and has also seen action for Pua as a left back. Tidy player who can win the ball and looks for long passes more readily than his team mates who can overplay at times as Pua encourages some negative tactics occasionally. Typifies a trait among Pua's current squad of switching regularly between various positions.

FABIAN O'NEILL

The play maker's year has been one long struggle against injury with no signs of a let-up just yet. He is out of the first game for certain but that may not be such a blow for Pua. O'Neill, due to various fitness problems, was not used for most of the qualifiers and is not favourite of Pua's. He can hit good long-range passes and shots but he struggles to impose himself on a game at this level.

MARCELO ROMERO

Used as a man-marker in midfield, Romero is a tenacious tackler who can mark even the best out of a game as he showed against Zinedine Zidane playing for Racing Santander. Great anticipation and timing but his use at he finals may be limited.

NICOLAS OLIVERA

Inconsistent attacking midfielder who has not yet reached great heights at Sevilla. The necessary wide option for Pua but he may be used only as a substitute as the game can pass him by.

STRIKERS

ALVARO RECOBA

One of the highest earners in world football and a possible star of the tournament, this toothy player relies on his left foot but can be an artful finisher. Essential to the Uruguay team but less so for Inter despite their massive contract with the player who can set up play well for others with his dribbling. Great vision and excellent improviser he will be drift wide regularly but can finish from close range. For the attacking positions it really is Recoba plus one with the large number of strikers named by coach Pua left to fill in with midfield work.

GUSTAVO VARELA

Nacional partner of Richard Morales who can also play at right back for Pua. Aggressive wing back who will feature if Pua heads for more complicated tactical formations and not a certain finisher by any means.

DARIO SILVA

A line leader often without a line. Silva can do it all in attack and frequently has to as Recoba and others head into midfield for protracted keep-ball sessions. Positive and direct finisher who should start.

FEDERICO MAGALLENES

The player who alternates at free kick taking with Alvaro Recoba and less spectacular than the Inter player although he is a good play maker when used in midfield positions. An option behind Silva rather than alongside him.

RICHARD MORALES

He scored twice in the play-offs to send Uruguay through to their first finals in twelve years and his heading ability offers another variation in the attack but he may be used only as a substitute. Argumentative hacker who is a red card waiting to happen if he starts a tense game.

DIEGO FORLAN

Forlan is a tidy forward whose great reputation in Argentine football persuaded Manchester United to spend £7 million. He was subjected to the usual United hype on signing but has failed to deliver. Forlan rarely starts for club or country but has a nice touch and finds space well but seems unable to deliver finishes or even convincing shots at the moment.

SEBASTIAN ABREU

One player to watch if he gets a game as his wayward unpredictability clearly mystifies team mates. Inept control and crazy play-acting can cause real trouble on the field but this is mixed with the improvised shots and volleys that are spectacular.

MARIO REGUEIRO

Left winger who is an option to play late in the game and his speed could prove decisive in the closing moments of matches. Patchy delivery when crossing but otherwise a neat passer who can also be used as a wing-back.