Rafa To Decide On Torres Return

Today’s catch-up on the Fernando Torres situation brings us further reports stating that the striker will be in contention for a return to action for Liverpool next week. That conclusion comes courtesy of a prognosis from no other than the “renowned” Dr Ramon Cugan, the specialist that helped Torres through a recent hamstring problem and this current struggle with a knee injury..

“The problem is not serious but he needs to stop and rest to avoid more risk because it’s the same knee on which he had surgery in January…But in normal circumstances, he could be ready to play next week, depending on how it settles down…The decision is now up to Liverpool’s medical staff and the manager.”

If Torres has a chance of being in contention then Rafa’s decision will surely be to protect Torres for the first leg of the Europa League semi with Atletico Madrid. It seems likely that Torres’ involvement in the league fixture with West Ham on Monday will be minimal – perhaps an appearance from the bench at best. Given that rest and recuperation is identified as the solution to the injury, owners of Torres will also have to question whether Rafa will include the striker in his eleven for the trip to Burnley the following Sunday, given that Liverpool will be facing Atletico in the second leg four days later. It’s all speculation but right now it appears that Fantasy returns from Torres could well be suspended for at least the next two matches…

Torres has now been sold by over 27,000 managers in the Fantasy Premier League game with many obviously refusing to run the risk of Rafa keeping the striker out of league action. That trend is surely likely to continue as we approach Saturday’s deadline.

There are plenty of replacement candidates. Both Carlos Tevez and Darren Bent immediately appear to have benefited from the recent Torres sales with increased investment this week. Tevez has tough-ish fixtures (MUN ars AVL/TOT whm) but has a double gameweek to come with two matches at Eastlands in gameweek 37. Bent, in contrast has a run of decent opposition (BUR hul MUN wlv).

Bobby Zamora will be another name to consider, although his own fitness and the potential of rotation given Fulham’s Europa League campaign, will dent his chances of heavy Fantasy investment. Emmanuel Adebayor is your differential against the popularity of Tevez – he has strong form but comes at a far heftier price. Villa’s John Carew is also an attractive option – a double fixture this gameweek offers immediate returns, although the risk of rest and rotation with Emile Heskey is again a consideration.

Then of course there is Robin Van Persie. He will make an expected return to action at Spurs tonight and could yet claim some late Fantasy interest from those looking for that final push. I haven’t even mentioned Wayne Rooney either – a couple of thousand of FPL managers have already pushed funds his way, despite continued concerns over his fitness going into the derby match with City this weekend.

There are options yes, but no obvious silver bullet. No easy decision. I’ll be updating the Watchlist later today to reflect my thoughts on the current crop of Torres alternatives.