CRISTHIAN STUANI could be embroiled in a club versus country tussle after the attacker linked up with Uruguay despite spending the last month on the sidelines for Middlesbrough.

The 29-year-old returned from the last international break with a hamstring tear which has kept the Boro man out of action, and although he was nearing a return a week ago, a scan last Monday revealed that the tear had not fully healed.

That led Aitor Karanka to leave Stuani out of his plans ahead of the trip to Hull City, a game that Boro lost 3-0, but Uruguay manager Oscar Tabares, who called Stuani up a fortnight ago, told the media in South America that all players called up to his squad are available.

Karanka last week stressed that the Uruguay doctors have been kept abreast of Stuani’s recovery including his most recent setback, and expressed surprise that he had been called up despite his injury.

“At the moment we don't know anything but it will be a surprise if a player who is not training with the team is in the national team,” said Karanka ahead of the Tigers clash.

“I expected to include Stuani in the squad but he had a scan on Monday and he is not 100% recovered.

“So, in the same way with (David) Nugent one month ago, I don't want to take any risks because we have two weeks to work with him after Hull. Cristhian is an important player for us and if he is out one month, two more days is not a problem for me.”

Uruguay flew out to Ecuador yesterday ahead of their World Cup 2018 qualifier on Thursday, apparently with Stuani in tow, with the team doctor Alberto Pan saying on Twitter: “We thought that last weekend Stuani would be considered to play in Middlesbrough.”

Karanka was furious that Stuani picked up his injury in the first place last month, admitting that he can now understand why other managers criticise national team coaches.

He said: “It's difficult to prepare for the games and to look after your players and to let them rest sometimes when they need to rest and then they go to their national teams, they play 180 minutes and they are injured.

“For them (the national team coaches) it is not a problem because the player is now here and he has one month to get fit for the national team's next game, so today I can understand the other managers.”

While Stuani’s international involvement is an understandable headache for Karanka and Middlesbrough, the player himself – who was desperate to play for Boro over the weekend – sees the double header against Ecuador and Chile as an opportunity to showcase his talents for Uruguay.

Stuani has made 26 appearances for his country in a side that also has had to accommodate Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez, scoring six goals.

And with Suarez still banned for his World Cup bite on Giorgio Chiellini, Stuani is profiting from that. Karanka, at least, is being cautious, even if Uruguay are not.

“I don't want to take a risk, especially with important players. We have lost Cristhian for six games and I don't want to lose him for more time,” said the manager.

“Our doctor is in touch with their doctor and we send them every single scan so they know everything, they know how the player is doing his rehabilitation they know about the scan on Monday.

“They know everything because our club sends them everything and our doctor is in touch with their doctor.

“I like his attitude but he understands me - because we have to think always about the team first.”