Torres hoping to play a part

World Cup final: Spain striker Fernando Torres is confident he will have a big part to play in Sunday's World Cup final.

World Cup final:Spain striker Fernando Torres is confident he will have a big part to play in Sunday's World Cup final.

The Liverpool superstar was dropped for the semi-final win over Germany, with Barcelona youngster Pedro preferred.

Torres had started Spain's previous four games, after coming on as substitute in their opening match, but he is yet to score in South Africa.

Despite his profligacy so far, he is hopeful of getting the chance to start against Holland in Johannesburg.

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"I still feel I have a big part to play at this World Cup," he told the Daily Express. "It is up to the coach, Vicente del Bosque, if he starts me, but I feel ready. I don't want to make excuses but I haven't been at my best in this World Cup because my fitness is not where it should be.

"But every day I feel that little bit sharper in training and I am ready to start if called on."

Torres scored the winner for Spain in the final of Euro 2008 and he is just hoping he gets the chance to repeat that feat.

"It's been my dream to score in a World Cup final since I was a boy," he continued. "When we were playing in the street and I scored I would always pretend I was scoring the winning goal in the final. On Sunday I have the chance to make that dream come true.

"I don't want to even imagine what defeat feels like."

Torres reiterated that he had not even given his club future with Liverpool a thought since Roy Hodgson was appointed manager.

"To get one chance at one World Cup final is more than most players will ever have," he said. "So my concentration is on Spain.

"After Sunday I can think about meeting the new manager. Then they can tell me their plans."