Torres to be fit for 206th Mersey derby?

Updated 10.49 Tue Oct 16 2007
Keywords: David Moyes, Rafael Benitez, Uefa Cup, Champions League, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Everton, Liverpool, Fernando Torres, football, sport

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is hoping to be fit to make his Merseyside derby debut at Everton on Saturday.

Reds record signing Torres suffered a thigh injury while training with Spain last week.

"I intend to be fit for the Everton game on Saturday. I don't want to miss out on the derby, because it is such an important game" - Fernando Torres

He was initially expected to be out for eight to ten days, but the former Atletico Madrid man is determined to play at Goodison Park in the 206th meeting between Everton and Liverpool.

Torres said: "I intend to be fit for the Everton game on Saturday. I don't want to miss out on the derby, because it is such an important game."

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta's agent has revealed that he is not surprised that Spanish champions Real Madrid are interested in the 25-year-old Everton playermaker.

Recent reports have linked Arteta with a possible move to Chelsea and Real Zaragoza, but his agent Inaki Ibanez said: "No-one from Real Madrid has come to us. But it is normal that a great club is interested in Arteta because he is doing very well."

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