Chelsea may be without £50 million striker Fernando Torres for the start of the Premier League season after he suffered a head injury in Spain’s 2-1 defeat by Italy on Wednesday night.
PA PhotosFernando Torres was taken to hospital
• Torres injured in Spain slump
• PLAY Premier League fantasy
Torres lasted just 14 minutes of the international friendly in Bari before leaving the field with suspected concussion and being taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
A scan reported no major problems and Torres rejoined Spain’s squad to return to Madrid but it is doubtful he will be ready for Chelsea’s first game of the season – a testing trip to a physical Stoke City side on Sunday – with the forward due to undergo further examinations.
Torres, 27, has struggled to find his top form following his January move from Liverpool to Chelsea, scoring just on goal, but he has featured heavily in pre-season and found the net on two occasions.
New Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas had been tipped to start Dider Drogba at the point of his attack ahead of Torres and the injury could make the coach’s decision much easier.
• Catch action from every Barclays Premier League match on your mobile for FREE on the enhanced ESPN Goals app (UK only).