WORLD CUP 2010: Liverpool star Fernando Torres expects to be fit for Spain's opener against Switzerland in South Africa

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 06:42 EST, 25 May 2010

Fernando Torres is optimistic about his chances of being fully fit for the start of Spain's World Cup campaign.

The Liverpool striker underwent an operation on torn cartilage in his right knee in April, sidelining him for the end of the Premier League season and leaving him with a race to be fit for the World Cup.

However, the 26-year-old insists the recovery is going well and suggests he is on target to be available for Spain's opening match in South Africa, which is against Switzerland on June 16.

Torres, who also underwent a knee operation in January, told Spanish newspaper Marca: 'I'm very well, happy with the progress of the injury. Since January I've had two operations, and that isn't easy.

'Everything went very well with the first and in the second the objective was to be ready between six and seven weeks, and I'm at the start of the sixth.

'I will do a few more days of specific work and, God willing, I'll be 100 per cent for the first game of the World Cup for sure.'

Spain have three friendlies planned before leaving for Africa, facing Saudi Arabia and South Korea in Austria and then Poland in Murcia.

If Torres is back to peak fitness in time for the tournament, then it could be that he will be among the challengers to finish as the top scorer in South Africa, as European champions Spain are potential winners.

Asked if he felt any pressure to be the leading scorer, Torres said: 'No, but I know that, along with (David) Villa, I'm lucky enough to be one of the strikers in a team that are among the favourites, and that brings certain privileges.'

Torres' future at Liverpool has also been the centre of speculation, but the former Atletico Madrid player insists his mind is now focused solely on the World Cup.

'I want to think about the national team, about winning. Since I've been injured, the season has been over for me,' he said. 'I've started working morning and evening to be able to be here, thinking only of getting there.'

Torres will hope to help Spain towards a magnificent double following their triumph in the European Championships two years ago.

Torres scored the winner against Germany in the Euro 2008 final, and if he doesn't recover fitness it will be a huge blow for the Spanish.

After playing Switzerland, Spain face further group games against Honduras and Chile.