The 26-year-old hitman has had a dreadful run of luck with injuries over the past 12 months, with his domestic season at Anfield constantly interrupted by problems.

Torres struggled to make the Spain squad for the World Cup because of injuries to his right knee but managed to feature in all of his country’s matches.

However, the former Atletico Madrid forward didn’t look fit and constantly seemed off the pace as he struggled to get into the games.

He was eventually dropped from Vicente del Bosque’s starting XI, with Barcelona’s Pedro taking his place in the semi-final and final.

Torres did come off the bench in both matches against Germany and Holland but failed to make a telling impact.

His showing against the Dutch in Sunday’s final was cut short when he pulled up with the thigh problem just minutes before the end of the game.

Torres’ injury didn’t hinder the Spanish who went on to claim their first ever World Cup thanks to Andres Iniesta’s goal.

The Liverpool striker has since returned to Spain and undergone a scan which has revealed a problem with his left thigh.

A statement on the SFF’s website confirmed Torres had a magnetic resonance scan at the Cemtro de Madrid Clinic and evidence was found of “a Grade 1 muscle fibre rupture in the left thigh”.

While a grade one tear is the least serious type of rupture it still means Torres (11/2 Premier League top scorer) has little chance of recovering in time for the start of the new season.

While the injury isn’t the news new manager Roy Hodgson had wanted to hear it could mean that clubs who were thinking about making a bid for the striker may be put off from doing so.

The likes of Chelsea and Manchester City have been linked with Torres, who is thought to have become disillusioned with life.

However, after Spain’s victory on Sunday Torres was seen celebrating while wearing a Liverpool scarf, a picture which has given everyone hope he will stay on Merseyside according to Hodgson.

“As Liverpool manager, I take great pride in the fact that two of our players can call themselves World Cup winners this summer,” said Hodgson.

“I think it’s safe to say the pictures of Fernando in the dressing room with the World Cup certainly went down well with our fans, but the club can be proud of all the players who went away to the World Cup.”

Torres’ injury means Liverpool look certain to kick off the campaign against Arsenal (7/4 – 90 minutes) without their star name as they look to improve to stay connected to the rest of the big four.

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Spain

The Barcelona playmaker has struggled with injuries for the majority of 2010, missing a large part of the Catalan giants run-in with a thigh injury

Spain (21/10 top European team) coach Vincent del Bosque claims Iniesta came off as a precautionary measure after feeling a slight twinge in his thigh.

The 26-year-old will have a scan on Wednesday to determine the extent of the problem with Del Bosque likely to be crossing his fingers it isn’t serious after Iniesta set up two of Spain’s six goals before he was forced off.

Iniesta is just the latest injury concern the Euro 2008 champions have had coming into the World Cup, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Xavi all carrying problems heading into their series of warm-up games.

However, La Furia fans will have been delighted to see Torres and Fabregas get on the score sheet during a vintage performance by the World Cup favourites.

David Villa (8/1f top goalscorer) got the opening goal in the rout after being played through by Iniesta before the Barcelona man set up David Silva for a second shortly afterwards.

Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso got Spain’s third with Fabregas and Torres getting the fourth and fifth respectively, Barcelona winger Pedro getting the sixth as the nation recorded their 11th straight victory.

Iniesta’s injury aside it was the perfect way for Spain to round off their build-up to the World Cup, especially given Torres’ comments after the game where he claimed he was now over his spat of injuries.

“The injury has passed and now I’m able to help my team-mates, so it’s time to enjoy it,” said Torres.

“Tomorrow (Wednesday) I’m sure there will be a lot of optimism and euphoria but we know it will be difficult.”

The Liverpool forward was making his first appearance since undergoing knee surgery in April and it will be vital he stays fit if Del Bosque’s men are to challenge for the World Cup.

Fabregas’ return could also prove timely should Iniesta’s injury be serious, the Arsenal man having not played since he cracked a bone in his leg during the Gunners’ 2-2 with Barcelona in March.

Spain depart for South Africa on Thursday hoping for an easy ride through the group stages having been drawn alongside Switzerland, Honduras and Chile in Group H.

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