Benfica squad for Lech Poznan Europa League clash

Benfica have their squad set for their Europa League group game opener against Lech Poznan tomorrow as the club travels to Poland. Benfica takes on Poznan at 12:55pm WEST and Jorge Jesus will select 20 players from the list below to dress and will be allowed five substitutions during game action.

Keepers - Vlachodimos, Helton Leite, Mile Svilar

Defenders- Alex Grimaldo, Nicolas Otamendi, Jan Vertonghen, Gilberto, Nuno Tavares, Jardel, Ferro

Midfielders- Gabriel, Pizzi, Julian Weigl, Pedrinho, Taarabt, Everton, Chiquinho, Franco Cervi, Diogo Goncalves, Rafa Silva

Forwards- Darwin Nunez, Seferovic, Waldschmidt, Goncalo Ramos

Andre Almeida suffers serious injury to knee

Benfica right back Andre Almeida looks set to miss an extended period of time due to a knee injury suffered in yesterdays club victory over Rio Ave. Almeida was stretchered off the field just 13 minutes into the game with what the club is describing as a sprain to his right knee that has caused a rupture to the anterior cruciate ligament and the inner collateral ligament. The 30 year old continues to be accompanied by Benfica's medical team which is following all the recommended protocols for dealing with the injury. Almeida has been Benfica's starting right back since the 2015-16 season and with no timeline yet released for the length of time that Almeida will miss, Jorge Jesus will need to turn to summer acquisition Gilberto to fill Almeida's role. Jesus has also been working with midfielder Diogo Goncalves in training at the right back spot and could give the youngster a chance going forward.

Benfica in talks with Gremio for striker loan move

Benfica are currently in talks with Gremio about a loan move of striker Facundo Ferreyra to the Brazilian side for the season according to reports from Portugal. Benfica have been looking for a home for Ferreyra ever since the end of his one and a half season loan spell with Espanyol and the 29 year old Ferreyra continues to train separately from the main squad at Seixal. Ferreyra knows that a move to Gremio will give him the opportunity to get some regular minutes this season as the Brazilian transfer window does not close until November 9. Ferreyra is one of the higher salary earners at Benfica and after the acquisition during the summer of Everton Cebolina from Gremio, Benfica hope that the Brazilian side will continue the warm relations.