Ferguson: I have plans for Torres

Torres joined the club for £150,000 from Wycombe last summer, but has started just eight League 1 games all season, netting his first goal for his new club in their 3-2 win at lowly Leyton Orient on Tuesday.

But Ferguson, son of Manchester United chief Sir Alex, says the former Banfield de Mar del Plata man still has a part to play for the Posh, currently second in the standings behind runaway leaders Leicester City.

"It's been hard for Sergio. He was injured when he came here and most of pre-season and that's something you can't afford to do these days," he told the Evening Telegraph.

"He started playing and then picked up an another injury so it's been difficult for him to get going, but he was outstanding in a practice match we had last week so Sergio is very much in my plans.

"It can be difficult coming to a new club and the tempo of our training can catch new players out. That's maybe why Lee Frecklington picked up an injury so soon after coming here."

Torres' tale is a classic rags-to-riches story, funding his flight to England in 2004 to take part in a trial with Brighton & Hove Albion, before ending up in the lower-leagues with Molesey and Basingstoke Town.

It was at Basingstoke where Torres was spotted by Wycombe, for whom he would go on play more than 60 league games for, with his inspirational performances in 2007/08 helping the Chairboys reach the League 2 play-offs and, later, earn him his big-money move to the Posh.