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Torres: I'm fit for England

London - Spain striker Fernando Torres said on Monday his injury woes are over and he is fit to play against England in a friendly on Wednesday.

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has deployed Torres with caution following the former Atletico Madrid player's return from hamstring problems sustained mostly after international duty.

Amid concerned about his match fitness, the 24-year-old Torres played just 14 minutes of Liverpool's match at Portsmouth on Saturday, although he did score the goal that clinched a 3-2 victory.

Torres said he hopes to have seen the last of injury concerns for this season.

"Injuries are what most worried me this year," said Torres. "Since Christmas I have had many problems and I hope not to have any more." Torres said last year was a very long one for many players, especially those involved in the European Championship, which Spain won in June. He added that others suffered injuries as a result.

Spain will go into the game against England on a 28-match unbeaten run that led it to become the world's top-ranked team, in part thanks to Torres' goal-scoring form during crucial games.

"Now that we've won the European Championship, all the teams want to beat us and on Wednesday we are playing against a squad full of stars going through a good moment with Fabio Capello on the bench," Torres said.

Torres said he was aware Benitez had administered players' time on the field - including his own following his return from injury - with care. Still, he said he felt "in good condition" and thought Spain would go for a win against England "one hundred percent." He said everyone selected by coach Vicente del Bosque was eager to play in the game in Seville.

"Everyone wants to enjoy this great moment with the national squad after having gone through bad times in other years," he said.

Turning to club matters, Torres said he hoped that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who is currently sidelined by a hamstring problem, would be able to lead his team for the Champions League first leg match at Real Madrid on February.25.

"I would like to see him there," Torres said. "Great clubs always have one special player and for us it is our captain, a player who has pulled the club up during the last few years.

"We rely on him being fit as soon as possible, though we don't know how his leg is going to respond."

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