England's forward Wayne Rooney takes part in a training session at the Urca military base in Rio de Janeiro on Monday during the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament. Photo: AFP

 After losing their first fixtures in Group D, both England and Uruguay are desperate for victory when they meet on Thursday afternoon in São Paulo.

The game has been described as "life or death" for both teams by Uruguay captain Diego Lugano, while England striker Daniel Sturridge has termed it "do or die."

Based on their opening performances - Uruguay crashing to an unexpected defeat against Costa Rica versus England narrowly losing to Italy - England should be going into this meeting as favorites. That does not take into account the Luis Suarez factor.

Uruguay's star striker is their talisman­ and only truly world class player. He missed the Costa Rica shock through injury but has said he is feeling "100 percent" fit before the England encounter.

"I'm 100 percent, otherwise I wouldn't be here," Suarez told Uruguayan reporters at the team's training camp in Sete Lagoas.

"I knew it would be difficult [to be ready for] the first game, but if the proper time was left then I was going to be 100 percent afterward. I've done everything I had to do.

"I'm training today with the team and I feel in good condition. I never lost the joy and the desire. I never thought I would miss the World Cup."

Suarez scored 31 times in the Premier League last season.

In his time in England, he has scored against Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka at Everton, Gary Cahill at Chelsea, Joe Hart at Manchester City, Luke Shaw at Southampton, and Phil Jones and Chris Smalling at Manchester United.

Only Cahill and Hart came out on top last season, both keeping the Uruguayan­ goal-less in their two Premier­ League matches against him.

These England players deservedly voted Suarez as PFA Player of the Year but now need to prove that they are not overawed by him.

Where England can look to succeed is everywhere behind Suarez.

 The positives that England could take from the defeat to Italy in Manaus were all focused on their attack.

Sturridge took his goal well and looked dangerous, while Raheem Sterling impressed throughout and looked completely at home at the World Cup.

The biggest question mark surrounds Wayne Rooney. Even though he set up England's only goal, the verdict was that he offered little else stationed wide on the left.

There has been talk of dropping England's record scorer but Roy Hodgson appears to be backing him for a return to the central role he craves.

England's training sessions indicate that Hodgson feels the Manchester United striker can add to his international tally and score his first goal at a World Cup finals.

Rooney has played either as a No.10 or in tandem with Daniel Sturridge­ as an out-and-out striker, while Danny Welbeck has played on the left wing and Raheem Sterling on the right.

Expect chances at both ends as both teams have to win what should be an exhilarating matchup.

Reuters contributed to this story