Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez got some good news for a change coming from a specialist that Fernando Torres could return to first-team action within a week.

The Spanish striker missed Sunday’s goalless draw with Fulham to travel to his homeland for treatment on his injured knee. And his doctor, specialist Ramon Cugat, believes five days rest might be enough for the 26-year-old.

“The problem is not serious but he needs to stop and rest to avoid more risk because it’s the same knee on which he had surgery in January,” Cugat said, according to theDaily Mail.

“But in normal circumstances, he could be ready to play next week, depending on how it settles down. The decision is now up to Liverpool’s medical staff and the manager.”

Liverpool face West Ham United on Monday in the Premier League, and then head to Madrid for what could be aEuropa League homecoming for Torres against his former club, Atletico.

But they may face interference from the Spanish FA, who are monitoring the situation closely and do not want their star forward prematurely rushed back into action ahead of the summer’s World Cup.

The Spanish international’s importance to the Anfield club should not be underestimated, and despite his persist injury troubles, Torres remains a star man of English football according to the Castrol Rankings.

Liverpool’s No.9 is second only to Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, and finds himself in fifth place overall in terms of the European rankings, with a total of 885 points.

Source: goal.com