Montevideo, May 27 (IANS): Uruguayan forwards Christian Stuani and Abel Hernandez arrived here to join their national football team's training for the upcoming Copa America to be held in Chile.

Stuani and Hernandez may prove important players for Uruguay in the defence of their 2011 title, especially with the absence of striker Luis Suarez, who has been suspended from the whole tournament after receiving a nine-match ban for biting at the 2014 World Cup, reports Xinhua.

"We aren't going as the favourites but we like that. Through humbleness and working hard, we could be strong in the cup," said Stuani, 28, who currently plays for Espanyol in Spain.

Hernandez, who plays for the English team Hull City, said that Suarez's absence could give him more prominence in the team.

"I came here hoping to be on the pitch for long. I will try to have a more important role," said the 24-year-old on Tuesday.

The team began training on Monday in Uruguay Celeste complex on the outskirts of the country's capital with only eight players but the rest of the squad is slated to join in by the end of the week. Uruguay's aim is to be "a difficult team to face", said trainer Tabarez.

The trainer announced on Saturday the 23 players that would be joining him in Chile included striker Edinson Cavani, who currently plays for France's Paris Saint-Germain.

The team will play a home friendly against Guatemala on June 6 and then will travel to Antofagasta in Chile on June 9. Their Copa America campaign will begin five days later against Jamaica.