Liverpool

Spain begin their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 16 and according to the head of Liverpool’s medical team Peter Brukner, Torres could well be a doubt for the first game.

He said: “He’s doing well and he’s certainly tremendously committed to his rehab, as are the staff here, and if anyone can recover from an injury, he can.

“You can’t be absolutely certain of anything but at this stage, if he continues to progress the way he is, he should be fit to play at some stage during the World Cup. Whether he’ll be fit for the first game or not is uncertain, he added.

Brukner and the medical staff at Liverpool are looking at the 26-year-old’s fitness in the long term and are determined not to rush him back from his operation which was the second on his knee within three months.

Torres has spent large parts of this season on the sidelines, which many believe was one of the main reasons for a poor season by Liverpool’s standards. Despite the injuries, the Spaniard has still scored 18 goals in 22 Premier League games.

The European champions who are one of the strong favourites for the tournament (Spain 4/1 to win the World Cup outright) are struggling with injuries to key players, which could severely affect the team’s chances of bringing back the trophy from South Africa.

Along with injury to Torres, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas is recovering from a cracked fibula which he picked up in his clubs Champions League tie with Barcelona, who are also struggling with an important injury.

Star midfielder Xavi, who is integral for both club and country, could miss out on the World Cup for Spain. The Barca ace is currently playing through a calf tear to help ensure the Catalan giants fend off rivals Real Madrid and the win La Liga this year, but what part he will play in the World Cup is uncertain.

Spain’s group in at the tournament include Switzerland, Honduras and Chile (Spain 1/18 to qualify through the group stages).

That’s a group that they are expected to come through comfortably which should give players like Torres Fabregas and Xavi time to recover for tougher challenges further on in the competition.

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