Di Matteo has faith in Torres

Interim manager Roberto Di Matteo is determined to stick by Fernando Torres as Chelsea battle to gain a top-four spot in the Premier League.

Torres has not scored for 25 matches, spanning five months, but Di Matteo, appointed interim coach at Stamford Bridge following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas last weekend, was unequivocal in his support for the £50m striker.

“I will persevere as long as it takes. Persevere, persevere. He’s a team player. If he doesn’t score and someone else does, that’s fine by me,” he said.

“If Petr Cech scores and we win 1-0, I’m happy. It will come. When you work hard in life on a football pitch, it will come.

“I have total confidence in him – 100%, 200%, whatever you want to call it... As long as it takes. We have a squad and everybody is very important. I will try to utilise all the players we have and try to select for each game those who are appropriate for that game.

“We have 20 internationals, so your bench will be internationals and some not even on the bench.”

Torres is in the squad for this afternoon’s encounter against Stoke at Stamford Bridge, along with captain John Terry, who is set for his first taste of action since January 31 following surgery for a knee problem.

Ashley Cole has also recovered from a heel injury sustained in last week’s defeat against West Brom and Di Matteo chooses from a fully-fit squad.

The Italian also rejected any notion that he does not get on with his players, as some reports have suggested.

“I always, paradoxically to what I’ve read, have had a good relationship with my players,” said Di Matteo.

“That’s the case here as well. We exchange opinions, yes. Eventually I make my own decisions, but we do speak and listen to what they think.”

Di Matteo also insisted nothing should be read into the fact that Raul Meireles did not celebrate when he scored in the midweek FA Cup win against Birmingham.

Di Matteo said: “Meireles is a great character with a fantastic personality. He’s a very reliable team member. I was very pleased with the great goal he scored.”

The focus, according to Di Matteo, whose side lie fifth in the Premier League table, three points behind Arsenal, was on clinching a top-four place.

“We need to finish in the Champions League (places),” said Di Matteo.

“They want to be playing in that competition next season. We’re in it together.”