ROY HODGSON faces an anxious wait over Fernando Torres' fitness after his star striker jetted out to link up with the Spain squad.
The Liverpool boss begged Spanish chief Vicente del Bosque to allow Torres to stay at Melwood and continue his recovery from a knee injury.
But the pleas have fallen on deaf ears so far.
And Torres indicated he would report for duty with the World Cup winners today to prepare for their first Euro 2012 qualifier.
Spain face Liechtenstein on Friday night, then have a friendly in Argentina on Tuesday — and Hodgson does not like the idea of Torres working too hard.
The former Atletico Madrid man scored his first goal in 10 matches against West Brom on Sunday, but Hodgson said: "Fernando is not firing on all cylinders because of the knee.
"He went to the World Cup and wasn't at his world-class best.
"Being careful is an absolute necessity but if we can keep on this fitness programme, keep monitoring the knee, he'll get stronger and fitter for every game."
Hodgson is continuing his search for a striker to play alongside Torres.
He is believed to have made an enquiry for Athletic Bilbao's 6ft 5in forward Fernando Llorente, but was rebuffed by the Basque club.
