[size=6]Del Bosque hints at picking Torres[/size]

Spain coach Vincent del Bosque has hinted he will pick misfiring striker Fernando Torres for Wednesday's World Cup quarter-final against Germany.

Torres, who struck the goal that beat Germany in the final of Euro 2008, has failed to score so far in South Africa.

Del Bosque said: "Fernando has not been helped by the team not always clicking, but we're very happy with his work.

"We can play better than we have done and hope to do that in the semi-final. It will be a good advert for football."

Spain have not been at their fluent best on their way to reaching the last-four stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Their campaign started with a shock defeat by Switzerland and since then they have shown only flashes of brilliance - although striker David Villa has been consistently excellent.

Villa is the tournament's leading scorer with five goals, and his form has been one of the main reasons for Spain's progress - particularly with Torres struggling for his best form.

The 28-year-old, who has just signed for Barcelona, will be especially keen to continue that run against Germany after injury ruled him out of the victory over them two years ago - when Torres scored the winner - that gave Spain their first major silverware.

Extra motivation will be provided by the fact Villa is also one goal away from matching Raul's Spanish record goals tally of 44.

But Villa, who is already Spain's record scorer at the World Cup with eight goals, insists it is lifting the trophy that matters most.

"I'm happy with my five goals because they've been decisive," he said.
"It's also different because when you win by a lot of goals it doesn't hold the same feeling as winning this way.

"We beat Germany two years ago and I don't think they are happy to meet us again.
"But we have to forget about that game. Without a World Cup [win], it's like we've achieved nothing."

Torres is in no doubt that Villa has been Spain's inspiration.
"He's been very, very important for us, a key for Spain, scoring a lot of goals, said the Liverpool striker.

"He gives us the opportunity to go forward and think about winning the World Cup."
But Spain's reserve goalkeeper Pepe Reina has also backed his Liverpool team-mate Torres to come good.

He said: "He's mature, he knows exactly what football is about and he knows he has stay calm.
"He's got the confidence of the coach, his team-mates. He can repeat his Euro feats and be fundamental for us."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8790577.stm