Torres hit by injury blow

Fernando Torres is set to be sidelined for up to three weeks after suffering an ankle injury while on international duty with Spain.

The 23-year-old Atletico Madrid striker was forced to retire from training with the national team on Tuesday after sustaining an injury to his left ankle, and tests carried out on Wednesday have confirmed a sprain.

Torres will now miss both of Spain’s upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers with Latvia and Liechtenstein, and possibly Atletico’s final two Primera Liga matches against Celta Vigo and Osasuna as well.

Losing Torres, who has scored four goals in his last three Atletico matches, is a major blow for Spain coach Luis Aragones, who only had two other out-and-out strikers in his initial squad – David Villa and the uncapped Roberto Soldado.

Espanyol pair Luis Garcia and Raul Tamudo have been tipped as possible replacements for Torres.

Spain are currently third in Group F in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign having won three and lost two of their opening five matches.

They are away to Latvia on Saturday and then away to Liechtenstein the following Wednesday.