Fernando Torres has overcome any fears that his fitness would be in doubt for Sunday's 207th Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield.

Top scorer Torres needed precautionary scans on back and ankle knocks after the controversial defeat at Manchester United last weekend. The Spaniard only played 50 minutes of his country's win over Italy in midweek, an agreement that boss Rafael Benitez had struck with Spain boss Luis Aragones.

Torres looked sharp in the international and will play against Everton. Javier Mascherano will be suspended, while Steve Finnan is close to a return after a groin problem. Yossi Benayoun scored in Israel's midweek 1-0 win over Chile to stake his claim for a place in the side, while John Arne Riise is also in contention, having been on the bench for the past three games.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill will miss out after being ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken metatarsal.

The Australia midfielder lasted just 10 minutes of last weekend's 1-1 draw with West Ham at Goodison Park, and manager David Moyes has now accepted defeat in terms of his chances of playing again this campaign.

However, striker Andrew Johnson - who missed last weekend's draw - is fit after a groin injury.