Spain striker Torres aiming for World Cup fitness

MADRID, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Spain international striker Fernando Torres this Monday reflected on his chances of being fit for the World Cup finals after an operation that means he will play no more league football this season.

The striker, who plays for Liverpool, drove Barcelona to operate on his right knee, following an injury he received playing in Europa League.

It is estimated the Spain star will be sidelined for at least six weeks, which means his presence in the World Cup finals is by no means assured.

"I have to be positive and think that there is the World Cup to aim for. It has been a difficult year for injuries and it is a shame not to have played more matches. All I can do is think about being in shape for South Africa," said Torres in an interview on his personal website.

Torres admitted that he had not wanted to undergo the operation, but said there was no option.

"The scan showed that we would almost certainly have to have an operation," he said, adding that the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokul, which has caused chaos to air traffic meant he was forced to make the long journey from Liverpool to Barcelona by car.

"We had half an hour to organize the trip and it was quite an adventure. We had to sleep outside of Paris and didn't get to Barcelona until half past eight the following night. Three hours later I had the operation," he explained, before denying that his decision was influenced by his desire to play for Spain rather than Liverpool.

"That is not the case, I wanted to play in the Europa League final. If I'd been thinking about Spain, I'd have been asked to be substituted earlier in the game I was injured," he said

The injury means Torres will miss the chance to play against his former club, Atletico Madrid, as he did when Liverpool faced Atletico last year in the Champions League.

"At the moment the World Cup is the most important, it has been four years waiting and if things go well I don't aim to miss it. Today I get back to work," said Torres.