Spain`s Torres, Pedro suffer injury blows

Madrid: Spain`s preparations for this month`s Euro 2012 qualifiers at home to Lithuania and away to Scotland were hit on Sunday when striker Fernando Torres and forward Pedro were injured in domestic league action.

Liverpool striker Torres suffered a groin strain during the club`s 2-1 home defeat by Premier League newcomers Blackpool, manager Roy Hodgson said.Barcelona said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.cat) that Pedro had damaged a thigh muscle in the La Liga champions` 1-1 draw with Real Mallorca. It was not clear how serious the injuries were but the pair could be sidelined for the world and European champions` match against Lithuania in Salamanca on Friday and the trip to Glasgow the following Tuesday. Spain were already missing injured playmakers Xavi and Cesc Fabregas. Torres was taken off after nine minutes at Anfield. "He has a groin strain, but I don`t know how severe it is," Hodgson was quoted as saying on Liverpool`s website ."They are assessing it at the moment. It happened early in the game which came as a surprise to us." Bureau Report