Westerveld wants Van der Sar back

Westerveld feels Van der Sar has got the edge

Holland goalkeeper Sander Westerveld feels he is not the best man to stay between the posts for the rest of Euro 2000.

Westerveld came in for the 3-2 victory over France after Edwin Van der Sar was injured in the win against Denmark, but the Liverpool shot-stopper wants this to be a temporary measure.

Westerveld said: "I think it's better for the team that Van der Sar plays because I think he's still the better goalkeeper.

It's better for me and better for the team that Van der Sar plays

Sander Westerveld

"It's just logical. Maybe England's David Seaman and Nigel Martyn are equal goalkeepers but I know what I can do and I think I am a great goalkeeper, a good goalkeeper.

Best in the world

"But I think Van der Sar is one of the best in the world. We want to be the European champions and it's better for me and better for the team that Van der Sar plays.

"I think he's just a little bit better than I am. Maybe it is too honest, but I was lucky to have a match yesterday.

"At the moment he is in good form and I think there are not a lot of goalkeepers better than him."

Van der Sar feels he can recover from his thigh strain in time to face Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals, but there is a doubt over Ronald de Boer, who twisted his hip and missed the French clash.

Van Hooijdonk is off to Benfica

Meanwhile, Holland striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk of Vitesse Arnhem has joined Portuguese giants Benfica on a two-year deal.

Benfica's president made the trip to Arnhem to finalise the deal reported to be in the region of £3.5m, making it one of the most expensive transfers in Portuguese history.

Fantastic club

The 30-year-old forward has played with Scottish giants Celtic, England's Nottingham Forrest and is currently a member of the Dutch Euro 2000 squad.

He said: "It is not every day that players have the chance to join a fantastic club like Benfica, which is known all over Europe.

"I did not hesitate. I had other clubs interested in me, but as soon as my agent told me about this, I did not have any doubts about my choice."