Rafa soothes Torres fitness fears
by Tom Kell, 26 March 2008
Rafa Benitez has played down suggestions that Fernando Torres might be unavailable for the Merseyside derby on Sunday.
Reports surfaced on Tuesday that Torres had been forced to sit out training for Spain having picked up injuries to his ribs and ankle in last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.
'El Nino' subsequently emerged as a major doubt for the game with Italy on Wednesday evening, as well as the match with Everton that could determine who wins the race for the coveted fourth place.
However, Benitez is optimistic that his fellow Spaniard is on track for both club and country.
"We saw that every time he went for the ball on Sunday he was put under a lot of pressure, but at this moment I think he will be fit for Sunday,” said Benitez.
"He lost one day with Spain but he's back now and I think he will be ready for the game, and hopefully he'll then be available for us on Sunday."
If Torres does recover in time, he will be making his bow against Everton having missed out on October's trip to Goodison Park due to an abductor injury.
The Toffees have their own injury concerns ahead of the short trip across Stanley Park to Anfield, with Tim Cahill almost certainly out of contention.