Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Del Bosque Won't Risk Torres


Spain coach Vicente del Bosque insists he will not play Fernando Torres against Bosnia-Herzegovina if he is injured.

The Liverpool striker has been suffering from problems in his adductor muscle over the past week, although he did play 53 minutes in the victory over Armenia on Saturday.

With Spain having already qualified for the World Cup in South Africa next year, del Bosque has assured Reds boss Rafa Benitez that he will not risk Torres if there are any doubts over his fitness.

"Torres is in very good hands here," Del Bosque told AS.

"Yesterday (Sunday) he stayed at the hotel and did not train because we went to a pitch in which there was no stretcher. He stayed at the hotel with the physios.

"Rafael Benitez has called me and I reassured him. We will care very much for Torres, like the rest.

"I told him (Benitez) that we will treat Torres as if he was at Liverpool. If the boy is well and wants to play, he will play against Bosnia. And if he has any problem, he will not play. It's that simple."

Del Bosque has received criticism from some quarters that he is favouring Barcelona after he allowed Xavi, who is carrying a similar injury to Torres, to leave the squad.

"I insist that there is no preferential treatment and there is the best care for everyone," he added.

"I respect everyone but they have to respect the national team. We have a duty to win and to call up the best.

"I don't care if a player comes from (Real) Madrid, Barcelona or Fenerbahce. Taking a player along for the sake of it has never been my style."

A statement from the Spanish Football Federation said: "Fernando Torres will not abandon the Spain camp as several media outlets have said.

"The forward, who has been hindered by some adductor pain, underwent a scan after lunch which showed encouraging results.

"The player has improved thanks to the physiotherapy carried out by the medical staff and we are studying the possibility of the player participating in part of the afternoon training session."

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