Mendaro - knee trouble. (Getty Images)

Uruguay have suffered an injury blow ahead of Sunday's Pool C clash against England at Suncorp Stadium.

Experienced centre Martin Mendaro, who made his Test debut 10 years ago, has been ruled out of Los Teros' final group game due to knee trouble.

Mendaro, a key player for the Carrasco Polo club in Montevideo, will leave Uruguay coach Diego Ormaechea with a considerable gap to fill.

"He is important for us," conceded Ormaechea. "He is strong and has a good defence - he's an organiser."

Ormaechea will announce his line-up to face England on Friday, and is confident that skipper Diego Aguirre and number eight Rodrigo Capo can shake off injuries.

Aguirre, Mendaro's regular midfield partner, and Capo both sat out training in the Brisbane suburbs on Thursday.