Ravaged: Torres has only shone in fits and bursts this season due to injuryFernando Torres is battling to be fit for the World Cup after an operation on his right knee in Barcelona on Sunday night ruled him out for the rest of the season.
The Liverpool striker’s worst fears were confirmed by his specialist in Spain after he beat the ban on flights caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, heading for London and travelling by Eurostar to the Continent.
Torres, who has been troubled by the problem for a number of weeks, was hoping for the all-clear to return to Liverpool’s starting line-up in time for their Europa League semi-final first leg against his former club Atletico Madrid, scheduled for Thursday but subject to confirmation by UEFA today.
Instead, he was told he would take no further part in Liverpool’s quest to finish fourth in the Barclays Premier League and win the Europa League
Now he faces an anxious wait to discover if he will be fit to spearhead Spain’s World Cup campaign in June.The recovery period has been estimated at six weeks, which would leave him little time to build up his match sharpness in time for South Africa.
Spain’s opening match is against Switzerland on June 16 but manager Vicente del Bosque must submit his final squad to FIFA by June 1.
A Liverpool spokesman confirmed: ‘It was decided that he would need surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee. This was carried out on Sunday and, as a guide, the usual rehabilitation period for this shirttype of procedure is around six weeks.’
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez must now hope David Ngog can rise to the challenge of filling in for their prolific marksman, who has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, as they face West Ham on Monday night.
Defeat for the Hammers would plunge them right back into the thick of the relegation battle.
Gianfranco Zola’s side are just three points above the drop zone and they have not won at Anfield since 1963.
With Hull playing Aston Villa on Tuesday, Zola knows maintaining his side’s unbeaten run for April is more important than sorting out his future at the club.
‘I have an idea about my future but there’s no point in me talking about anything right now,’ Zola said.
‘Instead, it’s important that we deal with the situation and talk about the future later. Without a doubt, I’ve learned this season. I’m not joking when I say this year is worth five years in terms of coaching experience. I will be making the most of it.’
If Zola wants to talk to someone who understands the pressure, he might well find a friend in Rafael Benitez, who is continually linked with a move from Anfield.
But with Liverpool for sale, Benitez doesn’t feel any extra pressure for his side to perform to help attract investors.
Big night: Three points are essential for both Benitez and Zola (R) at Anfield‘Everyone knows Liverpool are a top side and one bad season is not going to be changed by winning one or two games at the end,’ he said.
Always in football things can change in one week but we have to win our games.
'For us it is not difficult to concentrate on our job, it is just to win four games, get 12 points and see what happens.
‘We have to make sure we do it against West Ham.’
source: dailymail
