Uruguay must accept Luis Suarez's absence at the Copa America and look to prove that they can play without him, according to former striker Diego Forlan.
Suarez, 28, is Uruguay's record goalscorer and has been in incredible form for Barcelona so far this season. However, the striker will miss the summer tournament as he is still serving a nine match ban following his bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at last year's World Cup.
But Forlan, who retired from international duty in March, believes that Oscar Tabarez's men must dig deep and show that they can defend their Copa title without him.
"Luis Suarez is one of the best players in the national team, and in the world in fact," Forlan told the Copa America's official website. "It would have been very important to have a player like him, even more so given the way he has been playing.
"But Uruguay needs to have other good players and learn how to function without him. The collective effort needs to continue in the same way and, when Luis returns for the World Cup qualifiers, he will be an important reinforcement."
Forlan was one of the players who won the Copa in 2011, but claimed that the next generation of Uruguay talent can succeed again.
"Time moves on for everyone. I had the opportunity to play for many years, to win the last Copa America and add another title," he added. "I experienced many things with the national team but now it's time to let a new generation come through.
"I just thought it was the right time to make the decision. I knew the Copa was not far away and that I had the chance to play, but I didn't think that was the best thing.
"New players are coming through, good players, and they have to have their chance. It was necessary to start that process now."
