Torres raring to hit top form with Spain

(GSM) – Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres has insisted he is raring to go, after joining up with the national side for the France friendly.

The Reds striker has only recently recovered from a lengthy spell on the sidelines after making just two appearances for the Merseysiders since suffering from a knee problem.

And it seems, he has recovered in time to be called upon by national coach Vincente del Bosque, with expectations to feature at some point against France on Wednesday.

While Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has expressed concerns in the past about Torres’ commitments with his country, in the wake of previous injuries, the 25-year-old hitman insists he is back to full health and ready for action.

“Rafa has enough to deal with, with what he’s got,” Torres said as he reported for duty.

“It’s normal that he’s thinking about his interests but he knows that all the players want to go to the national team.

“For us it is an honour to be here, to play as much as possible and to return as fit as possible to our teams.

“Luckily I recovered in time. To be in the national squad is a prize for me.

“I have the good fortune that the coach called me up after playing just two games since I recovered.”

Torres, who helped Liverpool to a 2-1 victory over Blackburn on Sunday on his first start since returning to the side, admits he is drained after so long on the sidelines but is gunning for revenge against France after Les Bleus dumped Spain out of the 2006 World Cup in the second round.

“I’m tired after playing nearly 90 minutes after two months of not doing so,” he said.

“But I’m ready for as much as the coach thinks is right.

“These games are always special for Spain. We can’t wait to play against them, especially after they knocked us out of the last World Cup.

“We always have it in for them.”