Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is out of the Spain squad to face Lithuania and Scotland in next week's Euro 2012 qualifiers.
And the 26-year-old could also miss the crucial Merseyside derby with Everton after picking up an adductor strain in Sunday's loss to Blackpool.
Torres limped off just nine minutes into Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Blackpool - a loss which left the side in the bottom three - and he has withdrawn from the Spanish squad, Liverpool said on their
website.
"Fernando was assessed earlier today at Melwood and underwent a scan this afternoon," said Dr Peter Brukner, Liverpool's Head of Sports Medicine and Sports Science.
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"He will have intensive treatment over the next couple of weeks but it is too early to say if he will be fit for the game against Everton."
Everton have also struggled this season in the league but moved above their city rivals after winning for the first time this campaign at Birmingham at the weekend.
