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Rui Costa rues Benfica injuries

SL Benfica's Rui Costa hopes that injury will not rule him out of the UEFA Cup tie against Paris Saint-Germain FC as he looks to add to his trophy collection.

SL Benfica's Rui Costa hopes injury will not rule him out of the UEFA Cup Round of 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain FC as he looks to embellish his trophy collection.

Thigh injury
Having won domestic leagues and cups in Portugal and Italy prior to his return to Benfica this summer, the 34-year-old is eager to add a UEFA Cup winner's medal to the UEFA Champions League one claimed with AC Milan in 2002/03. However, a thigh complaint is causing him concern.

'Difficult year'
"I will return very soon, maybe even within a week," said the midfielder, known as 'Maestro' among Benfica fans. "I know it has been a difficult year and I did not expect that when I decided to return, but I have to live with it. I have not lost my will to win and I want to help the team."

Limited appearances
Injuries have dogged Rui Costa this season, restricting him to six appearances in the Portuguese Liga - two as a substitute - and three in Europe, as he played both legs of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round victory against FK Austria Wien and the first instalment of the UEFA Cup Round of 16 success against FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti.

Age concern
His fitness problems have prompted suggestions that age is catching up with the former Portugal, ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan playmaker, but the No10 disagrees. "If I broke a fingernail, some people would say it was because of my age," he joked. "I had injuries in Italy too, but I can live with the critics. I have always lived with success and failure."

Positive attitude
Rui Costa, who was capped 94 times by his country, scoring 26 goals, added: "Players like to play and they can be down when they're sidelined, particularly if it's an ongoing injury like mine, but I will do my best in order to celebrate with my team-mates at the end of the season." In his absence, Simão has provided much of the Lisbon side's creative impetus. "He has been excellent," said Rui Costa. "He has adapted very well to a new role in the middle. He is a fabulous player who can score goals. He has great mobility and knows how to hit a ball."

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