May 4, 2008 10:32 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Moreira Wants Benfica Stay

Benfica goalkeeper José Moreira says he wants to stay at Estádio da Luz despite not having played a single minute this season.

The Portuguese custodian, who came from the club's youth system, first cemented his place as the starting keeper during the end of the 2001/02 season, when German Robert Enke entered in conflict with the board.

However, an injury to his right knee, which made him undergo two delicate surgeries in two years, has made him drop down the pecking order at Estádio da Luz, becoming Benfica's third-choice keeper, behind Quim and Hans-Jörg Butt.

Moreira is the only footballer in the squad that has not experienced a single minute of play this season, but that does not seem to bother the 26-year-old.

With Butt allegedly unhappy with his role at Benfica and interested in returning to his home country of Germany, chances are that Moreira will fight to defend the Eagles' goal with Quim next season.

According to sports daily A BOLA, Moreira will only consider leaving Benfica should he stay out of a manager's plans during a whole season because of non-injury reasons, which has not been the case this season as he spent almost four months sidelined.

Moreira, who was called up by Portugal's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for Euro 2004 as the third keeper, has made 120 appearances for Benfica, conceding 109 goals.