UNDER-PRESSURE Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was last night handed a welcome boost with the news Fernando Torres does not face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Torres limped out after just 10 minutes of his team’s demoralising 2-1 home defeat to promoted Blackpool on Sunday.

The Spanish striker suffered an adductor strain and underwent a scan yesterday to ascertain the extent of the damage.

And the results have revealed the forward has escaped a serious injury – but is facing a race to be fit for the Goodison derby against fellow strugglers Everton on Sunday week.

With Liverpool having fallen into the relegation zone for the first time in almost half-a-century at the weekend, the bulletin on Torres was an encouraging positive for Hodgson.

Earlier in the day, Torres had been omitted from the Spain squad for their forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifying double header at home to Lithuania and away to Scotland.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque was unwilling to risk the striker’s fitness, leaving Pepe Reina as the only Liverpool representative in his squad.