• Premier League

Hodgson hands Liverpool Kuyt & Torres injury boost

ESPN staff
October 14, 2010
Fernando Torres was hauled off against Blackpool © PA Photos
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Roy Hodgson has given Liverpool a double boost by confirming that Fernando Torres will face Everton - and quashing fears over the severity of Dirk Kuyt's injury.

Torres was expected to miss this weekend's Merseyside derby due to an adductor strain, but Hodgson insists that he, and left back Paul Konchesky, will be fit for the key clash.

With a bitter court battle raging off the pitch, the Reds will be desperate to lift the gloom around the club with a victory at Goodison Park on Sunday.

"Konchesky has made a good recovery as has Fernando Torres so all being well we can welcome those two back," Hodgson said. "Fernando's season needs to kickstart, he's been hampered a bit by injuries and what happened at the World Cup.

"We see a livelier and a better Fernando every day. It was really unfortunate he got that injury against Blackpool but luckily it came in the international break so he won't miss anymore league games for us."

Meanwhile, Hodgson has cooled concerns over Kuyt, who is nursing an ankle complaint sustained on international duty. "The initial rumours coming out of Holland were that it was going to be a really long injury, maybe months," Hodgson said.

"But our doctor and our sports science people are much more optimistic. They think it is more likely to be one month - or if we are lucky three weeks. He seriously twisted his ankle with ligament damage and we are going to miss him for some matches that's for sure."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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