Jorge Silva's season over

Boavista FC captain and defender Jorge Silva will be out of action until the end of the season after tearing cruciate ligaments in his right knee.

Big blow
The news is a big blow to coach Jaime Pacheco's plans, as the 2001 Portuguese champions prepare for the first leg of their UEFA Cup third-round match against Paris Saint-Germain FC next week.

Worse than feared
Jorge Silva suffered the injury during his team's 1-0 home defeat against Gil Vicente FC last week. He was stretchered off and the injury was even worse than first feared after doctors discovered he had torn both the posterior and anterior ligaments in his right knee. He will undergo surgery in 12 days' time.

'Time to carry on'
Speaking to the press outside Boavista's training ground, Jorge Silva said: "It is very tough for a player to get through a situation like this one, but now it is time to carry on. I have already cried the tears I had to cry and now I have to face the reality, a very sad one, though."

Recovery plan
Jorge Silva, who won his first international cap in September in Portugal's 1-1 draw with England, added that he would "try to recover in time to help Boavista reach their goals and to recover a place in the Portuguese squad".

'A very important player'
Boavista president João Loureiro said: "This is a blow to our plans and has hampered our chances of getting a UEFA Cup place at the end of the season. Jorge Silva is a very important player to us and certainly he will travel with the team to Paris to support his team-mates."