Torres to play on - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Torres to play on

Fernando Torres returned to Liverpool's Melwood training complex on Friday after a whistle-stop trip to Valencia for a second opinion on his groin injury.

The striker visited a Liverpool hospital on Thursday for further tests after flying back to Merseyside with the rest of the squad following the 1-1 Champions League draw with Lyon. Torres then visited a Spanish specialist who has worked with him before and is also favoured by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez from his time at Valencia.

It is now expected the 25-year-old will do light training over the weekend and is still in contention to play against Birmingham on Monday.

Torres is believed not to want an operation on the problem, which is not a full hernia but a deeper groin injury affecting his adductor muscle.

He is also thought to want to play for Spain against Argentina next Saturday at his former home ground, the Vicente Calderon stadium of Atletico Madrid.

Exactly how Liverpool will feel about that is unclear but only a serious breakdown in Torres' fitness will make it possible for them to stop him travelling to join the Spain squad.

Steven Gerrard, who also has a groin problem, has also done light training this week and is not ruled out of the Birmingham game yet.

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Gala night for the Queen of arts - stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute

Happy & glorious

Stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute to Queen
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Thais go Gaga: singer’s ‘fake rolex’ tweet sparks new tour row... but fans still mob her at airport

Thais go Gaga

Singer mobbed at airport
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon
Chelsea Champions League celebrations - in pictures

Victory parade

Chelsea Champions League celebrations
High-flying heroes

High flying heroes

David Oyelowo reveals all about new film Red Tails
The Twitter Diaries: Think Bridget Jones tries social networking

The Twitter Diaries

Think Bridget Jones tries social networking