What a week it’s been for myself, I’m literally now the daddy. Daddy to newly born twins and daddy to Mark, who now really does look up to me. Yes listeners, for the first time this year against all the odds the mini-league rivalry has flipped and Mark is demanding a paternity test. PaddyPower were laying 66/1 on that unlikely event.

Of course I would never have boastful claims of dominance over my bitter league rival, well not until 5.45 on the 9th May that is.

As per usual the boys discuss the events of the week, notably ‘Milner time’ and the ‘Bale out’ and look forward to the final 3 games where an exciting and tense climax to the season is in store.

It’s also the quarter finals of the FFS cup II and the draw is made (almost) live. For those still with an interest in the cup and little interest in our blabberings, the draw can be heard 31 minutes in.

Download or stream this filth via this link or grab it, along with all our other episodes via this page.

Aaron Lennon has reportedly returned to full training with Spurs this week as his stop-start recovery from a groin injury continues.

Today’s reports suggest that the jet-heeled winger could figure amongst Harry Redknapp’s subs for the trip to Old Trafford should he come through this week’s training sessions.

We await confirmation from Harry himself as the week progresses but should Lennon be in contention he would come onto our radars for Tottenham’s double fixtures in gameweek 37. That could prove a significant development going into the all-important gameweek…

Didier Drogba owners face an anxious wait ahead of Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge meet with Stoke this weekend. The striker has emerged a potential fitness doubt for Carlo Ancelotti’s side after tweaking his groin muscle as the second-half was about to kick-off at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Drogba, who has previously revealed that he is playing with a hernia problem, could not be withdrawn at that point as the Chelsea boss had already used his substitutions. Drogba completed the 90 minutes but was clearly hampered by the injury as Chelsea slumped to the damaging 2-1 defeat.

The Ivorian will now surely be monitored in training this week, with Ancelotti indicating in reports yesterday that it would be up to Drogba to dictate the role he will play in Chelsea’s remaining fixtures…

Liverpool have confirmed this evening that Fernando Torres will undergo surgery on his knee injury tonight having travelled to Spain for further specialist advice today. Torres will miss the rest of the season as a result.

The clubs official website carries this quote from a club spokesman…

“Fernando saw a specialist in Spain earlier today and it was decided that he would need surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee…This will be carried out later tonight. We cannot comment ahead of the operation, but as a guide, the usual rehabilitation period for this type of procedure is around six weeks.”

Torres was sold by over 220,000 Fantasy Premier League managers in the past week but is still owned by over 20% of managers in the game. Wayne Rooney is currently the most popular signing amongst the forwards following his return to the United lineup at City on Saturday. Investment in him and the likes of Darren Bent, Robin Van Persie and Carlos Tevez is likely to continue as more Torres sales come through in the next few days.

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…

So the news on Fernando Torres is at best, a little sketchy. Liverpool released a statement yesterday indicating that initial tests in Barcelona had been carried out on the striker’s knee but it seems either they had proved inconclusive, or the club were not in a position to reveal a prognosis for the injury…

“Fernando Torres was examined by a knee specialist this afternoon in Spain. He received treatment and will continue to do so over the next few days, with the injury being reassessed later this week.”

This has of course left the door open for wild speculation, and typically the Daily Mail have waltzed right through it. The Mail are already stating that Torres is a doubt for the Europa League semi-final with Atletico on April 22 and 29. There’s no mention of an absence from Liverpool’s league programme, presumably with that given a lower profile and priority than their European campaign. There’s clearly concern however, surrounding the likelihood that Torres will line up against West Ham next Monday, particularly with the first leg with Atletico is follow just three days later.

While further news is likely to follow later this week, Torres is already leading the “transfers out” rankings in the Fantasy Premier League game. Over 14,000 have already decided to sell on – almost double that of any other player at this point. The consistent scoring of Carlos Tevez appears to have made him the main beneficiary of these sales – he’s been brought in by over 8000 managers as of this morning. Tevez and other options to the “Trinity” strikers are discussed in Sir Paulos’ excellent recent Technical Area article.