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Samuel Eto'o Injury: Updates on Cameroon Star's Knee and Return

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistJune 15, 2014

NATAL, BRAZIL - JUNE 13:  Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon looks on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Mexico and Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas on June 13, 2014 in Natal, Brazil.  (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Julian Finney/Getty Images

As Cameroon try to claw their way into the top two of Group A following their 1-0 defeat to Mexico on Friday, they might be without star striker Samuel Eto'o.

Coach Volker Finke admitted Sunday that Eto'o had missed training due to injury, per Agence France-Presse, via FIFA.com.

"He has a problem with the right knee that he already had at the end of the season with his club Chelsea," Finke told reporters. "He did not train yesterday nor today."

Eto'o later tweeted out more information about his status: 

Eto'o has been the biggest name in Cameroonian football for the last decade, but he's clearly on the decline. In a way, his absence may not be much of a hindrance to the national team.

Sergei Grits/Associated Press

The Chelsea forward has always had a contentious relationship with the Cameroonian federation and national team. This is a player who accused his own teammates of freezing him out during a match in November.

If Eto'o does miss the match against Croatia on Wednesday, Finke will likely opt for Vincent Aboubakar up top. For some, Aboubakar's inclusion will be overdue. Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe thought the Lorient striker should have started Cameroon's opener against Mexico:

The Croatia match could be a great test to see how the Indomitable Lions fare without their most influential player.

While Eto'o's potential absence may not be a huge blow, his status is still a situation worth monitoring as the World Cup moves forward.