URU - Batista back, doubtful for Argentina game

MONTEVIDEO (2011 FIBA Americas Championship) - Uruguay are unlikely to be at full strength for their home friendly against Argentina on Friday with captain Esteban Batista still not fully recovered from a hamstring injury.

Batista got hurt over a week ago and while he returned to training on Wednesday, team doctor Pedro Larroque said the plan was not to have the center play against the hosts of the FIBA Americas Championship.

"He worked with breaks of five minutes, is performing well and now we must wait for studies to be held tomorrow (Thursday) morning to see how the injury is," Larroque said.

"It's a game we all want to play," said Batista, Uruguay's best player.

"I do not want us (Uruguay) to lose me, so I also am aware that I have to take care of my body. Anyway I hope to play some minutes."

An upset stomach kept Leandro Garcia Morales and Gustavo Barrera out of training on Wednesday but they were expected back in practice on Thursday.

At the FIBA Americas Championship, which gets underway in Mar del Plata in 11 days, Argentina are among the favorites to reach the Final and clinch an automatic berth in the London Games.

Uruguay are seen as a team with a good chance of finishing third, fourth or fifth, which would be good enough to book a place in the 12-team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

FIBA