Eto'o smiles again

Eto'o smiles again

After more than four months sidelined by injury and working alone on his recovery programme, a delighted Samuel Eto'o joined his team-mates for training on Thursday morning.

Just after noon, when the rest of the squad were warming up for the training session, Samuel Eto'o made a welcome reappearance to work out together with his team-mates. He was greeted first by Edmilson and Ezquerro before being embraced by team manager Frank Rijkaard to the accompanying applause of the players. Eto'o smiles again.

No problems

The Cameroon striker then did some stretching exercises with fitness coach Albert Roca before joining in the ball control exercises with the other players. With his usual enthusiasm, Eto'o took part in the two circuits - one overtly physical and the other rather gentler, with the ball and showed no signs of any difficulties.

In good shape
Eto'o continued to exercise - with particular emphasis on speed and stamina - after last night's players had retired from the session, together with those members of the squad who did not take part in the match against Zaragoza. His performance in training left nobody in any doubt that he has taken a huge step forward in his recovery.

A tough recovery programme

Eto'o picked up a serious knee injury in the Champions League match against Werder Bremen on 27th September. He had an operation the following day and since October he's been working flat out to regain full fitness. He started individual training on 15th January and in just two weeks has been able to return to normal squad training.