Liverpool FC patience over Fernando Torres fitness is reaping rewards says Roy Hodgson

Fernando Torres 300 ROY HODGSON believes Liverpool's decision to nurse Fernando Torres back to full fitness is poised to reap handsome rewards. Though Torres has only just returned to England after playing for Spain in Argentina on Tuesday, the Reds boss is confident that his star striker will be firing on all cylinders for Sunday's game at Birmingham City. Hodgson was able to breath a sigh of relief that Spain never used Torres at any point during the glamour clash in Buenos Aires after he had asked the Spanish FA to treat him with caution following his injury problems. Torres is still a little way off capturing his optimum condition but he has been working closely with the club's Sports Science department and Hodgson has been buoyed by the reports he has received and the goals he saw the 26-year-old score for Spain in Liechtenstein. 'It's a good sign,' said Hodgson. 'He's a goalscorer, he's a quality player and is someone we were desperate to keep at the club because if you are going to have a good season, you are going to need players like him. 'It's going to take him a bit more time to get over the injury he had before the World Cup and the one he sustained in the final but he is working very, very hard and he has a good relationship with the Sports Science department. I trust them to together to do what is right for him.' Hodgson had been concerned that playing Torres twice in such a short space of time, coupled with having to endure two long-haul flights, would have had detrimental consequences and made a point of contacting the Spanish FA. 'I spoke to the coach, Vicente del Bosque through Fernando Hierro and luckily they listened to my plea not to over play him,' Hodgson explained.

Source: Liverpool_Echo