Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez insists that Luis Suarez needs time to settle at Barcelona after a tough first campaign, but he expects the striker will become an even better player in the long-term.

Suarez missed the first 11 games of the campaign after signing from Liverpool for a figure thought to be in the region of €94million in July 2014.

The Uruguayan had to serve a four-month ban after being found guilty of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during their meeting at the World Cup.

The former Ajax man returned to action in late October and made his senior debut from the bench in the El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona have yet to see the best of Suarez, who left the Premier League as the season’s top scorer with 31, having only netted four times in 15 La Liga appearances for the Blaugrana, who are priced at
6.50 to win the Champions League.

Tabarez insists that he always expected the 28-year-old to make a slow start to life at the Nou Camp but he expects he will grow in confidence and develop into an even better player.

Tabarez said: “I knew that Luis would need to adapt because with Uruguay he is given greater freedom of space.

“We favour a game that leaves him one-on-one with defenders and so if he loses the ball does not affect the team.

“It was logical, but I have seen a lot of signs that Luis is adapting very quickly. He has progressed and I think he will become a better player.

“I was very happy that he joined Barcelona who will provide him their whole structure and its amazing football culture.”