Just 24 hours after claiming he needed a miracle to play, Samuel Eto'o on Tuesday opened the door on his possible participation for Cameroon against Croatia on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old striker and captain of his country seemed to have all but given up hope on Monday but a day later he suggested his previous stance had been nothing but mind-games.

"I can't give you a satisfactory answer," he told reporters. "And even if I knew, I wouldn't say. Football is also about little pre-match secrets.

"It's a strategy, it's normal, all teams do this."

And yet just 24 hours earlier he seemed to have ruled himself out of the game in sweltering Manaus.

"I am hoping the gods grant me a miracle and that I am able to defend my dear, beautiful country," Eto'o told Cameroon Radio-Television (CRTV).

"If this is not the case, I will always play my role as captain and especially as the big brother to push my young teammates to victory."

He then followed that up with a later tweet adding: "The doctors have confirmed it! I probably won't play."

But on Tuesday the Indomitable Lions' captain was singing from a different songsheet, although as is his want he lashed out at obscure forces disrupting the squad's unity.

"I will do everything possible to be there with my teammates. Whether I'm in the starting line-up or not, I'll give my best to help the team win," he said. "After the World Cup I'll answer all those who've attacked me from near or far and I'll give the names of those who are behind certain stories so Cameroonians can understand who loves this country.

"I won't bow to blackmail. This group will stay one and united. It's a shame that some people try to destabilise us but no-one will manage to create problems amongst us and that's the truth!"

Cameroon were beset by a row over World Cup bonuses before heading to Brazil with the players deliberately missing their flight until a compromise was found with the government.

It was the same issue in 2002 while in 2010 the squad was supposedly riven by internal disputes amongst various cliques.

They lost their opening match in Brazil to Mexico and face an all-or-nothing clash with Croatia on Wednesday.

If they lose, they will have already booked their flight home.

LIKELY LINE-UPS

Cameroon (4-1-4-1) 

Itandje; Nounkeu, n’Koulou, Chedjou, Assou-ekotto; Song; Moukandjo, Mbia, Enoh, ChoupoMoting; Webo.

Croatia (4-2-3-1)

Pletikosa; Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Pranjic; Rakitic, Modric; Olic, Kovacic, Perisic; Mandzukic.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cameroon – Samuel Eto'o

Having pulled off a miraculous recovery, the Chelsea striker will lead the attack for Cameroon and is by far and away their biggest threat. Even if not fully recovered and able to start he may make an impact from the bench. 

Croatia – Mario Mandzukic

Another striker returning but this time due to a ban. The Bayern Munich forward is a clinical finisher and will undoubtedly have numerous chances should Luka Modric and Ivica Olic cause the same problems they did against Brazil. 

SPORT360° PREDICTION

Based on the opening round of matches, you’d back the Croatians to get back on track with a 2-0 win.