Reds' patience over Torres's fitness is reaping rewards

Roy Hodgson believes Liverpool’s decision to nurse Fernando Torres back to full fitness is poised to reap handsome rewards.

Though Torres has only just returned to England after playing for Spain in Argentina on Tuesday, the Reds boss is confident that his star striker will be firing on all cylinders for Sunday's game at Birmingham City.

Hodgson was able to breath a sigh of relief that Spain never used Torres at any point during the glamour clash in Buenos Aires after he had asked the Spanish FA to treat him with caution following his injury problems.

Torres is still a little way off capturing his optimum condition but he has been working closely with the club's Sports Science department and Hodgson has been buoyed by the reports he has received and the goals he saw the 26-year-old score for Spain in Liechtenstein.

"It's a good sign," said Hodgson. "He's a goalscorer, he's a quality player and is someone we were desperate to keep at the club because if you are going to have a good season, you are going to need players like him.

"It's going to take him a bit more time to get over the injury he had before the World Cup and the one he sustained in the final but he is working very, very hard and he has a good relationship with the Sports Science department. I trust them to together to do what is right for him."

Hodgson had been concerned that playing Torres twice in such a short space of time, coupled with having to endure two long-haul flights, would have had detrimental consequences and made a point of contacting the Spanish FA.

"I spoke to the coach, Vicente del Bosque through Fernando Hierro and luckily they listened to my plea not to over play him," Hodgson explained.

"They explained it wasn't possible for him to skip the trip. If he'd done that then a lot of other big name players, like Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas might have wanted to skip it as well.

"Through fairness they felt obliged to take everybody, but the fact he played no part in the game hopefully means he will come back in good shape and be able to work with us instead."

Aside from having Torres available for the trip to the Midlands, Hodgson is also confident David Ngog will have recovered from a hamstring to take his place in the squad.

"David is much better," said Hodgson.

"We were obliged to withdraw him from the France Under-21 squad and hopefully that he will be able to train on Friday."

With international fixtures now taking place on Tuesdays and Fridays, Hodgson was able to give his team a light session at Melwood yesterday and he believes the new scheduling will have long-term benefits.

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