Samuel Eto’o today received medical clearance to return to action against Deportivo this Sunday (kick off 9pm). Eto’o was injured on the 29th August in the Joan Gamper match against Inter Milan. All reports say that he has been training at an excellent level and if needed he could play 90 minutes this weekend.

Last season Eto’o returned too soon from an injury but it seems he is being very careful to avoid making the same mistake. Although Eto’o is ready to play a whole game, Frank Rijkaard may decide on Sunday it is more prudent to start with him on the subs bench. He will more likely start against Stuttgart the following Wednesday with the intention of increasing match fitness with an eye on the last two games before christmas at Valencia and at home to Real Madrid. Of course in January Eto’o will be off to Ghana to compete in the African Nations Cup with Cameroon.

Barça have been missing Eto’o this season, the adaptation problems of Thierry Henry and the under-performing of Ronaldinho have made his absense more noticeable. In 14 league games Barça have scored a total of 27 goals, the lowest return at this point of the season in Frank Rijkaard’s time at Barça. In the 2005/6 season when Eto’o was fully fit Barça had scored 36 goals after 14 matches.

With Deco also in line to return it will be a pleasant selection problem for Rijkaard. It could be a good time for Ronaldinho to return to the team since Barça are playing at home and Ronnie’s performances have generally been much better at Camp Nou this season than in away games. Bojan Krkic has played well in his most recent appearances and Thierry Henry will also be hoping to be fit in time for the Madrid game.

So what will the team selection for El Clasico? If I had to pick a team now it would be: Valdés, Puyol, Marquez, Milito, Abidal; Iniesta, Toure, Deco, Messi, Eto’o, Ronaldinho.