Eto'o out five months

[Lazie]

<P class=big>Barcelona have now confirmed that striker Samuel Eto'o will miss the next five months of the season after undergoing surgery on his knee.

The Cameroon international tore the meniscus in his right knee during Wednesday's 1-1 UEFA Champions League draw at Werder Bremen and was stretchered off as a consequence.

It was initially thought that the former Real Madrid and Real Mallorca hit-man would miss up to three months of the current campaign with the problem.

However, the 25-year-old has opted to have the damaged meniscus repaired in his right knee rather than have it removed - thus extending his recovery to five months.

Eto'o will now miss the rest of the calendar year with Frank Rijkaard's side and is not likely to return to the Barca squad until the end of February next year.

The African goalscorer's absence is sure to give the likes of Eidur Gudjohnsen a chance of a regular run in Rijkaard's side in the weeks to come

[Lazie]

RE: Eto'o out five months

<DIV class=colCradle><DIV class=centerCol><SCRIPT language=javascript type=text/javascript> sTitle = 'Rijkaard - We can cope'; </SCRIPT><DIV id=articleHead><H2>Rijkaard - We can cope</H2></DIV></DIV></DIV><P class=big>Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard believes they can cope without injured striker Samuel Eto'o.

Eto'o faces up to three months on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury against Werder Bremen in midweek.

Rijkaard admitted it was a blow to lose the forward, but he has backed his squad to deal with the absence of the Cameroon international.

"It's a shame for the team, the club and especially for the player because he is a very important member of the squad," said Rijkaard.

"But our aim is to keep working hard so that when he comes back he will be rejoining a side that is in strong shape.

"I think we have the players that will enable us to continue to make good progress."

Rijkaard also revealed that Javier Saviola will get the opportunity to fill in for Eto'o.

Saviola has been included in the squad for this weekend's game with Athletic Bilbao and the Argentine ace will now have a better chance of playing more regularly.

"Saviola has always worked hard even when he has not been playing and so he will now become one of our two main strikers," added Rijkaard.

[Lazie]

RE: Eto'o out five months

Javier Saviola? I wonder if Courtney woulda agree with me when me say " Javier Saviola, the stone that the builder refused!"