Published Tue, May 04 10 09:48 PM
Spain striker Fernando Torres could miss his team's World Cup opener against Switzerland after undergoing knee surgery, Liverpool's medical department said on Tuesday.
Torres suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the Europa League match against Benfica last month, ruling him out of Liverpool's run-in, and the club said their priority was to make sure their leading striker was fully fit for next season.
Spain, among the World Cup favourites, face Switzerland in their first match on June 16.
"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," Peter Brukner, Liverpool's head of sports medicine and science, told the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.tv).
"Whether he'll be fit for the first game or not is uncertain. We're anxious not to hurry him along too much because we want the long-term benefit, but we're aware he's got the short-term goal of playing in the World Cup."
Torres, who has scored 23 goals in 72 internationals, said last month he was confident of being fit for the start of the tournament in South Africa after undergoing surgery in Barcelona.
"He's certainly tremendously committed to his rehab, as are the staff here. If anyone can recover from an injury, he can," Brukner said.
"Hopefully, we can get a compromise between those two where he plays in the World Cup and he's fit and well for Liverpool next season."
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque also has concerns over midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta who are recovering from injuries.
Replacing Torres would be a tall order, with Fenerbahce's Daniel Guiza a possible option along with Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente and Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo.
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