Benfica send Simão for surgery

SL Benfica will be without inspirational captain Simão for the remainding three games of the Portuguese season after the winger opted to undergo surgery on his left knee.

Persistent injury
The 27-year-old Portuguese international had been rested for the 3-0 away win at CS Marítimo as a result of the troublesome injury, and while he was recalled to the squad in the run-up to Sunday's 1-1 derby draw against Sporting Clube de Portugal at the Estádio da Luz, he was later allowed to withdraw. The club have now opted to let him have an operation on his knee in order to resolve the problem before the start of next season. He will be rested for two weeks before resuming training but is unlikely to be fit in time for Portugal's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Belgium on 2 June.

Title situation
Simão had an operation on the same knee five years ago after a serious injury kept him out of the Portugal squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals. His side will have to do without him as they battle for one of the top three places in the Liga. They lie third, one point adrift of Sporting and four behind FC Porto. The top two teams in Portugal qualify for the UEFA Champions League while third place offers a slot in the third qualifying round.