Torres on three week rehabilitation

RAFA BENITEZ has confirmed star striker Fernando Torres has started a three-week rehabilitation programme to avert the threat of groin surgery.

The Spanish international sat out Monday night’s 2-2 draw with Birmingham City after telling Benitez he did not feel confident enough to play another game on the injury.

Torres has battled through the pain barrier against Manchester United, Fulham and Lyon but he was not risked at Anfield, as the Reds surprisingly dropped two points.

He visited a specialist in Valencia last week for a second opinion on his sportsman’s groin and it was suggested that Torres needed three weeks rest from football.

That period has now started but even though Liverpool face several difficult fixtures at the end of November, Benitez is refusing to say when ‘El Nino’ will return.

"Torres was not confident and we have now started a three-week course of treatment," he said. "We will have to see how he reacts. We are not considering an operation yet."

Liverpool return to action after the international break when they host Manchester City on November 21 and then play Debrecen in the Champions League three days later.

Torres has been spared a trip to Spain to play in his country’s international friendly against Argentina and will continue to work with Liverpool’s medical staff.

"I don’t know if he will be ready for Manchester City," Benitez said. "The only thing I can say is we’re talking about two or three weeks working with the physios. We haven’t got a deadline, we just need to see how he is every day."