Balague: Torres needs rest, not surgery

The Spanish international has been plagued by injury problems over the past 12 months, with the Anfield talisman failing to complete either of the Reds' last two outings against Manchester United and Fulham as the club attempt to carefully nurse him back to full fitness.

Widespread reports on Tuesday suggested the former Atletico Madrid front-man could be set for a further two months on the sidelines, with several publications claiming the goal-getter required surgery on a hernia.

While others suggested Torres was due to go under the knife to cure a groin problem.

However, neither are accurate, according to Sky Sports pundit Balague, who revealed that although Torres does have a groin injury, it merely requires rest to heal.

"Torres is suffering from a muscle contracture, typically referred to as a muscle spasm, in the groin," he said on www.guillembalague.com

"The injury does not normally require surgery but is nevertheless painful and restrictive to a player`s mobility – and while it does mean that Torres will not need to face quite as long on the sidelines that an operation would have required, he will not be fully fit for Liverpool`s Champions League encounter.

"It is hoped that if Torres is given a full two weeks to recuperate, he may return from the international break close to full fitness."