Forlan prefers to be left out

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has asked to be left out of the squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay because he is unhappy at being relegated to the substitutes' bench.

"Diego came to my home to talk to me. He told me that he didn't have enthusiasm to keep being called up," Uruguay coach Jorge Fossati told reporters.

"I hope he reflects. I can't promise to a player that he's going to play so many minutes or that he's going to be in the starting lineup."

Forlan's father Pablo told the daily newspaper El Pais: "He's stepped aside to leave Fossati's hands free. He explained his reasons but he hasn't quit -- that's a very strong term. I know that Diego never wants to leave the national team."

Forlan, who joined Spanish side Villarreal from Manchester United in August, came on as a substitute during last Saturday's 4-2 World Cup qualifying defeat in Argentina.

He was also on the bench for the goalless draw away to Bolivia on

Javier Chevanton, Uruguay's leading scorer in the qualifiers with five goals, and Dario Silver were picked as the attacking pair against Argentina while Richard Morales and Vicente Sanchez lined up against Bolivia.

Fossati said he had planned to bring on Forlan against Bolivia but changed his mind when midfielder Omar Pouso was sent off.

Forlan, who has scored nine goals in 23 internationals, has not started in any of the five qualifiers since former goalkeeper Fossati replaced Juan Ramon Carrasco in April.

Forlan came on as substitute against Colombia, Peru and Argentina and was left out of the squad for the home game against Ecuador in September because he was not match fit following his move to Villarreal.

However, he started in four of Uruguay's six matches at the Copa America.

Uruguay are seventh in the 10-nation South American qualifying group with 11 points from 10 games.