Eto'o joined Barcelona from Real Mallorca in 2004

Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, sidelined since September with a knee injury, has pledged to return for his Spanish club Barcelona at the end of next week.

"What I want, I'm looking forward to, is this famous Sunday, 14 January when I will put on the Barca jersey again," he said.

"I had wanted to resume duty with the Indomitable Lions (Cameroon's national team) but I can't afford to wait until March," he said.

Cameroon are scheduled to play their next African Nations Cup qualifying game against Liberia in March.

Eto'o injured his right knee during Barcelona's Champions League match against Werder Bremen last September.

A Barcelona doctor initially estimated the injury would keep him out for two to three months but after an operation he extended the estimate to five months.

Eto'o also added he is determined to be the leading scorer in Spain this season.

Eto'o said: "I am determined to be the leading scorer this season in Spain. The gap between me and others is not much. With hard work, personal sacrifice, I can catch up. I will catch up."

He has four league goals, 10 behind leader Frederic Kanoute of Sevilla.