There was also good news for Thierry Henry, with Guardiola throwing his support behind the French international in declarations that could end speculation linking the former Arsenal striker with a return to England with Manchester United.

Guardiola was speaking at the pre-match press conference for Wednesday's Champions League third-round first leg against Wisla Krakow at the Nou Camp, a match that will mark the competitive debut of the former Barca captain in the coaching hotseat.

One of Guardiola's first tasks after replacing Frank Rijkaard earlier this summer was to announce that three of the team's most high-profile players - Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Deco - were surplus to requirements.

But while Ronaldinho has joined AC Milan and Deco moved to Chelsea, Eto'o has remained at Barca and, after scoring five goals in four matches during pre-season, Guardiola has decided that the Cameroon international has a future at the Catalan giants.

"I have decided he can stay, because of his wishes and mine," said Guardiola.

"I know that I said on my first day that I did not count on him, but I also said that I would treat him like any other player.

"His behaviour and attitude in Scotland and the United States have made me decide that he will remain with us. And, as well as that, he is a player with immense talent."

With Eto'o looking set to leave the club, Barca were linked with a host of other strikers this summer, including Emmanuel Adebayor, David Villa, David Trezeguet, Karim Benzema and Dimitar Berbatov.

However, Guardiola denied any suggestion that the decision to keep Eto'o had anything to do with the club's lack of success in bringing in a replacement.

"The negotiations to sign a `number nine' were stopped some weeks ago following a decision by me and Txiki (Begiristain, sporting director)," the new Barca coach added.

"Before bringing players in you must let players go and as everything was going well I decided that it was not necessary to sign anybody and everything would remain the same."

Guardiola also denied that keeping Eto'o was because he had doubts about his other senior striker Henry.

Frenchman Henry struggled to hit top form during his first campaign with Barca and has netted just once in pre-season, while there has also been speculation in England that European champions Manchester United were trailing him.

However, Guardiola insisted the 31-year-old still has a role to play at the Nou Camp.

"I need them both. Henry has played very well throughout pre-season. I know that there is an opinion against him but I am his coach and I know how he is beyond the games," added Guardiola in quotes reported by Sport.

"I am delighted with his performances and I know that the goals will arrive."

Looking ahead to his competitive debut on the Barca bench, Guardiola said of Wednesday's clash with Wisla: "I've seen sufficient videos and studied a lot of reports to be assured that Wisla are a team who play very good football and are very well organised.

"I know them well enough to know that we have a very tough tie ahead of us."

Aside from Guardiola, five of Barca's summer signings could also make their senior bows for the club on Wednesday with Dani Alves, Seydou Keita, Alexander Hleb, Gerard Pique and Martin Caceres all included in a provisional 22-man squad.