Spain’s Torres says he expects to be fit for World Cup finals
April 22nd, 2010 - 5:49 pm ICT by IANS
London, April 22 (DPA) Spain striker Fernando Torres says he expects to be fit to play for his country in this summer’s World Cup finals despite undergoing knee surgery Sunday.
The 26-year-old could be out of action for up to six weeks, after deciding to have an operation on a torn cartilage in his right knee.
His decision means he will miss the last of the season games for his club, Liverpool, including their Europa Cup semi-final against his former club, Atletico Madrid.
But the Spaniard said he believes he will recover in time for his country’s opening match at the World Cup, against Switzerland, June 16.
“I have been waiting four years for this and, if all goes well, I do not anticipate missing it,” Torres said. “I have already begun recovery work today.”
Torres also denied suggestions that he was putting Spain’s interests above those of Liverpool.
“We explored all our possibilities before deciding upon an operation,” he said. “The meniscus was affected and the doctors thought surgery was best.
“The injury occurred in the second minute of the Benfica match at Anfield. I played 85 minutes with an injured knee and if I had been thinking about the World Cup, I would have asked to be substituted right there and then,” he added.
- Torres denies putting country before club - Apr 20, 2010
- Torres defends his selection in Spain's Euro squad - May 29, 2012
- Injured Torres will be fit in time for World Cup - Apr 19, 2010
- Atletico the toast of Spanish football after surviving in Anfield - Apr 30, 2010
- Spanish fans prefer Llorente to Torres - Jul 01, 2010
- Liverpool worried over Torres' fitness - Apr 13, 2010
- Last chance for fringe players as Spain face Serbia - May 25, 2012
- Del Bosque hints at taking uncapped players to Euro 2012 - May 16, 2012
- Torres says he's committed to spearheading Liverpool's revival - Jul 29, 2010
- Torres to quit if Liverpool fails to finish in top four - Dec 27, 2009
- Torres dropped by Del Bosque for friendly - Feb 24, 2012
- Atletico Madrid beat Hannover at Europa quarters - Mar 30, 2012
- Chelsea eye Torres swap deal - Feb 17, 2012
- Athletico Madrid sign Uruguayan winger Rodriguez - May 29, 2012
- Navas and Monreal back in Spain's squad for England, Costa Rica friendlies - Nov 08, 2011
Tags: anfield, club atletico madrid, club liverpool, doctors, dpa, europa cup, fernando torres, knee surgery, london, match, meniscus, possibilities, season games, six weeks, spain, spaniard, striker, switzerland, torn cartilage, world cup finals