Barcelona: Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, the top scorer in the Spanish first division last season, is ready to return to training, the Spanish and European champions said on Sunday.

"It's planned that he'll be back training with the rest of the team on Monday," said the club via its website.

"I think that in two weeks he could be ready to play but that depends on the coach," added Barcelona club doctor Ramon Cugat.

Eto'o, three times the African Player of the Year and short-listed for his fourth successive award, has been out of action since he injured his right knee in the Champions League match against Werder Bremen on September 27.

The initial prognosis was that the Cameroon international would be unable to play for five months but he has made better than expected progress.

Barcelona, who lie second in the Spanish second division despite losing 3-1 at local rivals Espanyol on Saturday have badly missed his firepower.

"He's a very important player both on and off the pitch. Off the pitch, he's a character who is always lively. On it, I think he's the best forward in the world," said Barca club captain Carles Puyol on Sunday.

Last season, Eto'o scored 26 goals in La Liga and six in the Champions League as Barcelona swept to both titles.

He scored four goals in the league this season before the injury.

"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," said Eto'o earlier this month.

Sevilla's Frederic Kanoute leads the Spanish first division scorers this campaign with 14 goals.