World Cup Digest

16 days to go

Torres expects to face the Swiss

SPAIN: Fernando Torres is optimistic about his chances of being fully fit for the start of Spain’s World Cup campaign. The Liverpool striker underwent an operation on torn cartilage in his right knee in April, sidelining him for the end of the Premier League season.

However, the 26-year-old insists the recovery is going well and suggests he is on target to be available for Spain’s opening match in South Africa, which is against Switzerland on June 16th.

Torres, who also underwent a knee operation in January, said: “I’m very well, happy with the progress of the injury. Since January I’ve had two operations, and that isn’t easy. Everything went very well with the first and in the second the objective was to be ready between six and seven weeks, and I’m at the start of the sixth. I will do a few more days of specific work and, God willing, I’ll be 100 per cent for the first game of the World Cup for sure.”

Torres’s agent, meanwhile, has said the striker “will continue at Liverpool next season”. There has been speculation that he would leave Anfield this summer after a disappointing season. However, José Antonio Peton said: “For the moment I can assure fans that Fernando will continue at Liverpool next season. Everything is down to Liverpool’s attitude but for the time being Fernando is happy at the club and has a good contract.”

Spain’s hopes have received a boost after Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas came through a full training session. The 23-year-old midfielder has been out of action since April.

Flick will not make new pick

GERMANY: Assistant coach Hansi Flick said Germany will not call up a replacement for midfielder Christian Traesch, who had to pull out of next months World Cup due to an ankle injury yesterday.

Traesch, who was injured in a friendly against South Tirol at their training camp in Italy, was the third player to be ruled out after captain Michael Ballack and starting goalkeeper Rene Adler.

“No, there will not be another nomination,” Flick said from the team’s training base in northern Italy. “There are several options, though they have narrowed down a bit. Dennis Aogo has played that position as has Heiko Westermann,” he added referring to left-sided defender Aogo and central defender Westermann.

In brief . . .

AUSTRALIA: Scott McDonald was one of three players cut from Australia’s preliminary squad by coach Pim Verbeek yesterday. Midfielder Nick Carle and defender Jade North were the other two to miss out on a place. Striker McDonald had enjoyed a prolific goal-scoring run in with Motherwell and Celtic before moving to Middlesbrough in January, but he has failed to score for his country in 16 appearances.