Europa League - Team news: Saha back for Toffees

Eurosport - Wed, 21 Oct 15:55:00 2009

Everton striker Louis Saha is available for the Europa League clash with Benfica in Lisbon on Thursday.

Everton's Louis Saha celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal of the game - Thursday August 20, 09:40 PM Soccer - UEFA Europa League - Play-Offs - First Leg - Everton v SK Sigma Olomouc - Goodison Park - 0

Saha sat out the club's second successive victory in Group I against BATE Borisov because he was suspended.

Midfielder Steven Pienaar is out though as he still has a knee injury.

Manager David Moyes will also be without Lucas Neill and John Heitinga as they are both ineligible.

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus has said that his squad is at "maximum strength" for the visit of the Toffees despite Jose Shaffer, Luis Filipe and Keirrison all being out injured.

"We will do everything to progress to the next phase of the competition. If we beat Everton qualification will be closer. The squad is at maximum strength and we're going to play an excellent game," he said.

"It will be an open match because Everton will also play to win. Everton are a strong team, with high-quality players, especially in the attacking sector. They play typical English football, very direct, with lots of crosses into the box. The expectation is for a game with lots of goals, and of course we expect to win."

Everton have sold out their allocation of 5,300 tickets with many more expected to travel independently, making it the largest Everton away following in Europe since their successful European Cup Winners' Cup campaign of 1985.

Eurosport

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  1. we will win
    EVERTON

    From everton137, on Thu 22 Oct 5:26PM

  2. we must put up a good show even though we still have a­ lot of players out injured , can't wait until they­ are all back and in form COYB

    From TERENCE E, on Wed 21 Oct 10:07PM

  3. come on you blues.

    From JANET, on Wed 21 Oct 5:25PM
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