SYDNEY (Reuters) - Uruguay striker Luis Suarez is to have surgery on his knee on Thursday morning, just over three weeks before the start of the World Cup Finals, according to local media reports.

Suarez helped Uruguay to fourth place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and was expected to play a key role in the country's campaign at the June 12-July 13 tournament in Brazil.

According to a report on the website of Uruguayan TV station Tenfield, the 27-year-old Liverpool striker had an MRI scan on Wednesday which revealed damage to the meniscus in the knee with the team doctor deciding surgery was necessary.

Recovery from such arthroscopic surgery takes from 15 to 20 days, according to the report, leaving Suarez little room for be fit for Uruguay's first match against Costa Rica in Fortaleza on June 14. The South American side also face England and Italy in opening round Group D.