Benitez insists he will slowly nurse the club’s leading scorer this season back into action as he does not want him to suffer yet another injury setback.As I wrote on Monday, I think Torres is one for next week, but it will be worth following the news to see if there is any stronger indication that he'll get a run out from the start against Rovers.
The Reds boss revealed Torres will again be a substitute in the Europa League second-leg clash in Romania against Unirea Urziceni on Thursday night, but it is hoped he will be able to select him from the start in Sunday’s home Premier League game with Blackburn.
Benitez said: “We decided to put him in the squad (against City) because he was training well last Friday. Now he can carry on and progress. He will be ready soon.
“We have to be careful because it has been a long time. Now it is a question of one step at a time.”
He added: “You cannot push him too hard because you could lose the player and it is not necessary.
“We will see how he progresses and we will decide each day.”
Meanwhile, in the West Midlands...
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is set to name unchanged line-up for a third successive game for Saturday’s latest survival collision at Bolton.
The Molineux chief, who has earned a reputation for regularly changing his team this season in a bid to find a winning formula, has Michael Mancienne available again after ineligibility prevented him facing his parent club Chelsea last weekend.
But he was so impressed with the players’ application in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat that he hinted at retaining faith with the same XI at the Reebok that fell harshly to the Premier League leaders 2-0 and beat Tottenham 1-0...
And he revealed his satisfaction at the way Kevin Foley – described by critics as a square peg in a round hole – has adapted to his new role at wide right in the absence of the injured Michael Kightly, Dave Edwards and Andy Keogh...
“People tell me Kevin Foley is a full-back but he’s played really well for us in that position.
“He keeps the ball and but for a world class save he would have scored the equaliser against Chelsea.
“He had a couple of chances at Birmingham as well.
“It’s definitely suiting us to play the way we’re playing.
The Kevins, Doyle and Foley, are definitely on my radar for this weekend's match.
And in news that will interest Gareth Bale owners, especially those of you who have been enjoying his services at 2...
Assou-Ekotto could be available for this weekend's clash with Everton, but he concedes that he cannot expect to walk back into the team.
I picked up Torres too thinking he could be starting the Rovers game at Anfield.
ReplyDeletemy W24 draft... 0.33left
Alumnia
Hutton/Verm/Shorey
Fab4/Eagles/AdamJ/Muamba(enabler)
Drog/Benchner/Torres
still thinking about Arteta and Defoe...
Cech stretchered off and "may" be out for the rest of the season. Hilario took his place
ReplyDeleteI am thinking long and hard about including Torres, even if he doesn't start. He is one of those strikers who could come on in the last 20 minutes and score against any side, let alone a Blackburn side that struggles away.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly see Torres coming on as a sub and still getting 2 or 3 SOT's on Sunday, and his strike rate means that one could well go in. I am going to have to work hard to convince myself that he's not worth a punt this week - i think he offers better value than Gerard in both the short and long term.
Worthy of note:
ReplyDelete1. Cech injured
2. Adebayor red-carded
3. Bale + BAE played together for Spurs and had a clean sheet
4. Stoke very strong especially at the Britannia Stadium
5. Coyle left Burnley for Bolton and the two clubs may just be in trouble...
6. I love YFF and all ye active bloggers
Manager, Kukuski FC.
@mags, Calf injury for Cech. Probably out for weeks, but nothing longer term.
ReplyDelete@Jon, it used to be that Torres would get at least 10 points per game no matter when he came in. He'd come in at 70 and, like you say, get a few SOTs and CWs and end up in double figures.
Thanks, @Kukuski. You have it covered, so I'm going to now take the rest of the day off. ;-)
How about Modric?
ReplyDeleteHe starts in the FA cup.
Does it mean that he won't start againt Everton?
Im fairly convinced modric will start vs Everton (viruses permitting...http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7503746), he has been very, very good in the last couple of games. He is the most likely to be subbed off for Krancjar tho, due to his position. If defoe is out, however, both could play, with one behind the striker (hello points!).
ReplyDeleteAnyone any thoughts on Maxi + Fabregas vs Kuyt + Eagles? im not particularly sold on either to be honest, and I dont like selling Fabregas at a discount (albeit a slight discount ~1)...
ReplyDelete