By Phil Minshull BBC Sport, Spain

Samuel Eto'o was injured in September

Barcelona have finally put a date on when they hope Samuel Eto'o will be back in action.

The home match against Racing Santander on 11 February has been pencilled in for his reappearance.

The Cameroon international and three-time African Player of the Year tore the meniscus in his right knee during the 1-1 draw away at Werder Bremen in the Champions League on 27 September and has been out of action since.

"In principal, Samuel will start to train with the rest of the team either Thursday or Friday this week," said a spokesman for the Spanish league leaders and the current European champions.

"At the moment he's still mainly working on his own under the guidance of the club's physical trainer.

"He's getting stronger every day and he is more confident but he's still lacking a little muscle around the knee, but the last word always remains that of club coach Frank Rijkaard."

Eto'o said earlier this month he hoped to be playing by the end of January but Barcelona officials confirmed that they were exercising caution with his come back even though he potentially could play before 11 February.

His return is eagerly anticipated by Barca's fans ahead of their team's Champions League last 16 clash with English Premiership side Liverpool on 21 February 21.