Barca's Eto'o to have exploratory surgery on right knee

MADRID, Sep 28 (Reuters) Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o is to undergo exploratory surgery on his right knee today, the Primera Liga club said.

''The club's medical services carried out a scan on Eto'o's knee this morning and confirm that he has torn the meniscus in his right knee,'' a statement read on the Barca Web site.

Club doctors have said the recovery time for this type of injury is normally two to three months.

Eto'o suffered the injury during yeterday's 1-1 draw away to Werder Bremen in the Champions League.

The player asked to be substituted in the 65th minute after pulling up on the pitch, and was carried off on a stretcher.

The 25-year-old was the top scorer in the Primera Liga with 26 goals last season, and scored six in their triumphant Champions League campaign.

The European and Spanish champions will need to turn to Iceland striker Eidur Gudjohnsen and Argentina's Javier Saviola to lead the line in his absence.

Reuters AB GC1639