Sebastián Abreu could be set to make his competitive debut for River Plate in their opening Copa Libertadores group stage match against Universidad de San Martín on Wednesday after finally receiving his transfer papers from the Mexican Football Federation.

Abreu was forced to sit out River's 2-0 victory over Gimnasia de Jujuy in the first game of the Argentine Clausura on Sunday as the papers in relation to his transfer from UANL Tigres had not been submitted by the Mexican Federation of Football.

The River board have exerted pressure on the leaders of the Federation and all the necessary documents have been sorted to allow Abreu to play against San Martin in Lima on Wednesday.

The Uruguayan striker impressed in pre-season friendlies for Diego Simeone's side and looks set to go straight into the starting eleven in place of Mauro Rosales for their Copa Libertadores opener.

River are in a relatively tough group, which also includes Club América of Mexico and Universidad Católica of Chile and will be hoping to get their campaign off to a good start in Peru.

Abreu's introduction is not the only change that will be made from Sunday's winning side, as Leonardo Ponzio will come into midfield in place of the suspended Oscar Ahumada.

Probable Starting XI: Pablo Carrizo, Paulo Ferrari, Gustavo Cabral, Eduardo Tuzzio, Cristian Villagra, Leonardo Ponzio, Matías Abelairas, Alexis Sánchez, Ariel Ortega; Sebastián Abreu y Radamel Falcao García