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Page last updated at 16:09 GMT, Thursday, 14 October 2010 17:09 UK

Liverpool's Fernando Torres is fit for Merseyside derby

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Goodison Park Date: Sunday, 17 October Kick-off: 1330 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio & highlights on Match of the Day 2. Live on Sky Sports.


Fernando Torres
Torres needs to find form if Liverpool are to climb the table

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has been declared fit for Sunday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The striker tore an adductor muscle in the defeat to Blackpool on 3 October and missed Spain's Euro 2012 qualifying wins over Lithuania and Scotland.

But after intensive treatment, Torres, 26, resumed training on Wednesday and is on course to play against Everton.

However, Dirk Kuyt will miss the match with an ankle injury sustained during the Netherlands' 4-1 win over Sweden.

Left-back Paul Konchesky, who strained a hamstring in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland last month, is also available again for selection.

"Konchesky has made a good recovery as has Torres so all being well we can welcome those two back," said Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.

606: DEBATE

"Fernando's season needs to kick-start, he's been hampered a bit by injuries and what happened at the World Cup.

"We see a livelier and a better Fernando every day. It was really unfortunate he got that injury against Blackpool but luckily it came in the international break so he won't miss any more league games for us.

"We get two good ones back, but lose a good one in Kuyt."

The derby comes at a crucial time for Liverpool and their manager Roy Hodgson.

The club are third from bottom of the Premier League after a nightmare start to the campaign during which they have won only one of their first seven games.

Torres has scored only once this season after returning from the groin injury he suffered while playing for Spain against the Netherlands in the World Cup final in July.

Dirk Kuyt in action for the Netherlands
Kuyt's injury adds to Liverpool's current problems

Hodgson said on Thursday that striker Kuyt had suffered ligament damage when he twisted his ankle, forcing him out of the Netherlands' match in the 29th minute.

"The initial rumours coming out of Holland were that it was going to be a really long injury, maybe months," he said.

"But our doctor and our sports science people are much more optimistic. They think it is more likely to be one month - or if we are lucky three weeks.

"He seriously twisted his ankle with ligament damage and we are going to miss him for some matches that's for sure."

Defender Daniel Agger, returning from a groin problem, lasted only 39 minutes for Denmark on Tuesday.



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see also
Everton 2-0 Liverpool
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Alan Hansen's column
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Lawro's predictions
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NESV completes Liverpool takeover
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Reds sale 'blocked by injunction'
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Liverpool confident over takeover
13 Oct 10 |  Liverpool
Hicks set to fight Liverpool sale
07 Oct 10 |  Liverpool
Relegation form worries Hodgson
04 Oct 10 |  Premier League
Torres doubt for Merseyside derby
05 Oct 10 |  Liverpool
Liverpool 1-2 Blackpool
03 Oct 10 |  Premier League
Football on the BBC
11 Aug 10 |  Football


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