Liverpool FC

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Benitez hopeful over Torres

06 Mar 2009 - 15:20:14

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Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is cautiously optimistic that Fernando Torres will be fit to face Real Madrid next Tuesday.

The Spain striker limped out of last week's 1-0 last 16 first leg victory over the Spanish giants in the Champions League with an ankle injury.

He missed last weekend's defeat at Middlesbrough and the midweek 2-0 win over Sunderland and Anfield.

But after intensive treatment following his return from the first leg at the Bernabeu, Benitez is hopeful that his star striker will be passed fit.

Spanish full-back Alvaro Arbeloa could also be given the green light to make his own return from a hamstring injury against Real.

However, fellow defender Daniel Agger remains a major doubt with a back problem.

"Fernando is improving but it's still too soon to say if he'll be fit," Benitez told the club's official website.

"He is working hard with the physios and we now have two or three more training sessions before we have to make a decision.

"I think he can be close but each player is different. We just have to wait and see.

"Arbeloa is much the same as Torres and we will try to push him harder over the next couple of days."