Fernando Torres has been warned he could yet need surgery on his right knee, despite a positive initial examination by his surgeon.

Dr Ramon Cugat raised hopes that ‘in normal circumstances’ the Spain striker could return to action when Liverpool face West Ham on Monday.

However, if swelling does not subside after five days of rest, the 26-year-old faces a further operation.

Spanish FA sporting director Fernando Hierro is in daily contact with Torres and has been told that it is not yet clear what is causing the ‘bursitis’, which has led to liquid building up on the knee.

Bursitis limits movement and causes pain. If, as expected, it was the result of a blow, the swelling should subside rather quickly. But if it is a result of surgery that Torres underwent in January, he is likely to go under the knife again.