MONTEVIDEO, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Luis Suarez has been left out of Uruguay's squad for friendlies against South Korea and Japan, the South American country's football association said Friday.

The 31-year-old Barcelona striker was given special dispensation to miss the matches as his wife expects their third child.

Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez was also absent from coach Oscar Tabarez's 22-man squad because of a thigh injury.

Uncapped Leipzig left-back Marcelo Saracchi was included while River Plate midfielder Camilo Mayada and Santos Laguna forward Jonathan Rodriguez both earned recalls.

Uruguay will play South Korea in Seoul on Oct. 12 and Japan in Saitama four days later.