Torres ready to lift Spain after loss

Coach Vicente del Bosque left Torres on the bench in Wednesday's surprise loss to Switzerland in Spain's Group H opener but he looked strong and hungry for goals after he was thrown into the fray with around half an hour remaining.

"I have been training at the same pace as my team mates for two weeks now, putting the injury behind me so that I can be available for the coach," Torres said at a news conference on Saturday at Spain's training base in Potchefstroom.

"We are all ready to take to the pitch and give our all and if I am in the starting 11 then great but if not I will wait for my chance."

"It's important for us to remain faithful to our playing style, not go mad and change things around too much and trust in what has made us one of the favourites," he said.

"Spain always wants possession of the ball and we have to exploit the talents that our players have, beyond any particular system," he added. "The style of this team is marked out by the midfielders, who are our heart and soul."

"Liverpool has a lot of fans around the world, which is why we have felt popular and well-supported," the 26-year-old said.

"South Africa look like they are struggling to get through the group phase and if they get eliminated hopefully the fans here will support Spain instead."

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