The Spanish football federation insist the Liverpool forward Fernando Torres will not pull out of the squad for their final World Cup qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Torres has had some problems in an adductor muscle over the past week and, although he still played 53 minutes of Spain's victory over Armenia on Saturday, there was speculation he would withdraw from the squad after he was forced to sit out training yesterday.
The striker underwent medical tests today and the federation confirmed he will remain with his international teammates.
"Fernando Torres will not abandon the Spain camp as several media outlets have said," read a statement on the federation's website.
"The forward, who has been hindered by some adductor pain, underwent a scan after lunch which showed encouraging results.
"The player has improved thanks to the physiotherapy carried out by the medical staff and we are studying the possibility of the player participating in part of the afternoon training session."
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has assured the Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez he will not risk Torres on Wednesday if there is the slightest doubt over the striker's fitness.
There was a suggestion that Del Bosque could opt against taking the forward to Bosnia after allowing Carles Puyol, Carlos Marchena, Xavi Hernandez, Dani Guiza and Cesc Fabregas to pull out the squad.
However, despite La Roja having already qualified after winning all their games in Group Five, the Spain boss remains firm that Torres will play if fit.
"Torres is in very good hands here," Del Bosque said.
"Yesterday he stayed at the hotel and did not train because we went to a pitch in which there was no stretcher.
"He stayed at the hotel with the physios.
"Rafa Benitez has called me and I reassured him. We will care very much for Torres, like the rest.
"I told him (Benitez) that we will treat Torres as if he was at Liverpool.
"If the boy is well and wants to play, he will play against Bosnia. And if he has any problem, he will not play.
"It's that simple."
There has been criticism from some parts that Del Bosque is favouring Barcelona after he allowed Xavi, who is carrying a similar injury to Torres, to leave the squad.
However, the Spain boss has shrugged off accusations of favouritism.
"I insist that there is no preferential treatment and there is the best care for everyone," he added.
"I respect everyone but they have to respect the national team.
"We have a duty to win and to call up the best. They (Puyol and Xavi) weren't going to play in Bosnia. I don't care if a player comes from (Real) Madrid, Barcelona or Fenerbahce.
"I would have done the same in all cases.
"Taking a player along for the sake of it has never been my style."
Marchena and Guiza are also injured while Puyol is suspended and Fabregas was allowed to leave for personal reasons.
* PA Sport
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
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If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
