Pauleta wants to start

The Portugal star is the second-top scorer in Ligue 1 this season, although he has only hit 12 goals in one of the driest campaigns in French history.

And he feels that he has earned his big wage - around 25,000 euros per week - with the goals that could help PSG stay up, although is not content with being used as a squad player by new boss Paul Le Guen.

"There has always been competition for places in every team I have played for," the 32-year-old told Football365 in France. "It is up to me to prove myself on the pitch. I have done this and I will continue to do so.

"I am still capable of being a starter for PSG."

The former Deportivo and Bordeaux star normally starts at home but is used from the bench in away matches. However, he will not demand a transfer and will instead fight for his place at the capital's club.

""I won't leave PSG - I will stay until the end of my contract in June 2008," he declared. "I want to carry on working until the end to win back my starting place for every match. I will not give up.

"It is not easy for me, but remember I scored seven goals away from home this season and five at Parc des Princes. It makes me confident and helps me work.

While he feels he is worthy of a key role at the club, Pauleta refused to criticise boss Le Guen, saying "we have a good relationship with him.

"He did not explain anything to me when he came and I have never asked the coach to justify his decisions.

"What explanation can you give for benching a player that has scored 92 goals in four seasons? (Ruud) van Nistelrooy would ask the same thing if he was sitting on Real Madrid's bench."

"I continue to say that an expensive player is not a player who costs 100,000 euros (per month) and who scores goals - an expensive player costs 1000 euros and doesn't score.

"Me, I am not expensive. I play and score goals. I am an important player for the team."

"I am not interested in being Ligue 1 champion. What interests me is to be faithful to the club and to the fans who have always supported me. I am proud of it. That is why I said I wasn't expensive, because I could have moved and earned more money."

"I knew that if I wanted to be champion, I had to join Lyon. We knew it from the beginning of the season. But I don't regret the past."