• Premier League

Torres set for shock return against Everton

ESPNsoccernet staff
October 13, 2010
Fernando Torres was taken off against Blackpool © PA Photos
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Liverpool believe there is a chance star striker Fernando Torres will be fit to start Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton.

Torres missed Spain's Euro 2012 qualifying victories over Lithuania and Scotland due to an adductor strain but he has responded well to treatment and could figure on the team sheet at Goodison.

News of the striker's possible availability is welcome indeed for Liverpool, who have seen Dirk Kuyt suffer an ankle injury that could rule him out for the remainder of 2010. Kuyt sustained the injury in Netherlands' 4-1 win over Sweden on Tuesday night.

Liverpool's head of sports science and sports medicine Peter Brukner told the club's official website: "Fernando is doing pretty well. He had a slight tear in one of his adductor muscles very early on in the game against Blackpool that prevented him going away with Spain in the internationals.

"He has had intense treatment over the last ten days and responded very well to that treatment. He's ready to resume training today [Wednesday] and if we can build up his training and get through the next few days, then we are optimistic but not certain that he will be able to line up against Everton.

"It's still early days but so far so good. He has responded well to the treatment but we will just have to wait and see whether he is able to build up his training sufficiently. He'll join in the full training session on Thursday, then build up Friday and Saturday.

"If he gets through these sessions and he is able to stretch out fully and has no after effect from the sessions then he will be able to play. So we are optimistic he will be ready but it's still too early to say for sure."

Defender Daniel Agger was taken off in the first half of Denmark's match with Cyprus on Tuesday so must be considered a doubt for Sunday's game.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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