LONDON (AP)

England defender Glen Johnson has bad news for his country: his Liverpool teammate and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has told him he expects to be fit for their World Cup match.

Suarez is doubtful for the Group D match on June 19, after undergoing knee surgery last Thursday.

But Johnson said he spoke with Suarez earlier this week and the striker did not seem worried. Johnson, who has been included in England's squad for the World Cup, said Suarez "doesn't think that it is that bad so he thinks he will be OK."

Suarez scored a Premier League-leading 31 goals for Liverpool this season, and was voted player of the year in England by the players' association.

England play their World Cup opener against Italy on June 14.