Saviola's hunger for recognition boosts Barca

MADRID, Jan 22 (Reuters) Javier Saviola's determination to prove his worth should help misfiring Barcelona move clear at the top of the table by the midpoint of the Primera Liga season when they visit struggling Real Betis on Wednesday.

Level on 38 points with Sevilla and Real Madrid, but top on goal difference, Barca could start the second leg of their title defence with a three-point lead by winning their game-in-hand.

This rescheduled match is a result of their Club World Cup trip to Japan in December where they surprisingly lost 1-0 in the final to Brazil's Internacional. They still appear to be suffering the after effects from that setback.

Sunday's flattering 3-0 win over bottom club Gimnastic was Barcelona's first league victory in four attempts since their Far East adventure, and owed much to Saviola's opener.

It was the Argentine's seventh goal in four games as he continued to stake a claim for a regular first team place while Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi are injured.

With his contract due to expire in June, Saviola was told he was surplus to requirements at the start of the season and has spent long periods on the bench but his form has been hard to ignore when given the chance.

He has won over the fans with his professionalism and refusal to criticise the club. Coach Frank Rijkaard was reminded of this when the decision to substitute him on Sunday was met with a barrage of whistles at the Nou Camp.

''I have had difficult moments but am keen to show everyone here what I can do as a footballer,'' Saviola told television station TV3.

Regardong his future, he added: ''My first choice would be Barcelona. I have always said I want to stay here.'' Their hosts Betis are 18th in the 20-team league and have shown a slight improvement under new coach Luis Fernandez.

Apart from a 5-1 hammering at Osasuna two weeks ago, they have drawn and won in the league and knocked Real Madrid out of the King's Cup since Fernandez arrived in December.

REUTERS SAM ND1836