Oh Lordy!!
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...eam-comeback/story-13411912-detail/story.html
Sidibe primed for reserve-team comeback
MAMA Sidibe is hoping to finally end 13 months of injury heartache by returning to action for Stoke's reserves tomorrow afternoon.
The 31-year-old striker has been declared fit to play after recovering from the second of two Achilles tendon injuries.
The former Mali international first snapped the tendon in August last year, but then suffered the same injury in training in February.
Stoke City's medical team have since taken every precaution in his rehabilitation before giving him the green light to play against Nottingham Forest reserves at Ilkeston Town tomorrow (2pm).
"It will be fantastic to see him back playing again after everything he's been through," said manager Tony Pulis.
"We've obviously kept a close eye on his progress and not rushed anything.
"He's such a lovely lad and certainly hasn't deserved what's happened to him with these injuries.
"He's due some good luck at long last and we are all keeping our fingers crossed it starts from tomorrow."
Pulis insists Sidibe still has a part to play in his ever-expanding squad after including him in the 25-man Premier League party he had to name at the end of August.
"Mama has been one of the bedrocks for this football club over the years," he added, "and we are desperately keen to get him back playing again.
"I named him in the Premier League squad as a show of faith during his comeback, but also because he can have a part to play."
Sidibe first snapped his right Achilles tendon in the home game against Tottenham in August 2010.
He returned to play one game for the reserves in February, but then collapsed a few days later after the Achilles went again in a five-a-side training session.
He admitted after the second injury: "I cried this time because I didn't understand it and was so frustrated.
"I was feeling very angry because I had been through all the rehabilitation from the last injury and only played one reserve game.
"I don't think I came back too soon and that is why it is so frustrating."
But he added defiantly: "I will keep fighting to play again because football is what I have been doing all my life."
Pulis is also keeping a close eye on the progress of Stoke's other two long-term injury victims, Danny Higginbotham and Ricardo Fuller, as they inch towards possible playing comebacks next month.
Pulis, who returned last night from a spying mission on Turkish outfit Besiktas ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash, added: "We want them back as soon as we can because we have plenty of games coming up in various competitions."
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...eam-comeback/story-13411912-detail/story.html
Sidibe primed for reserve-team comeback
MAMA Sidibe is hoping to finally end 13 months of injury heartache by returning to action for Stoke's reserves tomorrow afternoon.
The 31-year-old striker has been declared fit to play after recovering from the second of two Achilles tendon injuries.
The former Mali international first snapped the tendon in August last year, but then suffered the same injury in training in February.
Stoke City's medical team have since taken every precaution in his rehabilitation before giving him the green light to play against Nottingham Forest reserves at Ilkeston Town tomorrow (2pm).
"It will be fantastic to see him back playing again after everything he's been through," said manager Tony Pulis.
"We've obviously kept a close eye on his progress and not rushed anything.
"He's such a lovely lad and certainly hasn't deserved what's happened to him with these injuries.
"He's due some good luck at long last and we are all keeping our fingers crossed it starts from tomorrow."
Pulis insists Sidibe still has a part to play in his ever-expanding squad after including him in the 25-man Premier League party he had to name at the end of August.
"Mama has been one of the bedrocks for this football club over the years," he added, "and we are desperately keen to get him back playing again.
"I named him in the Premier League squad as a show of faith during his comeback, but also because he can have a part to play."
Sidibe first snapped his right Achilles tendon in the home game against Tottenham in August 2010.
He returned to play one game for the reserves in February, but then collapsed a few days later after the Achilles went again in a five-a-side training session.
He admitted after the second injury: "I cried this time because I didn't understand it and was so frustrated.
"I was feeling very angry because I had been through all the rehabilitation from the last injury and only played one reserve game.
"I don't think I came back too soon and that is why it is so frustrating."
But he added defiantly: "I will keep fighting to play again because football is what I have been doing all my life."
Pulis is also keeping a close eye on the progress of Stoke's other two long-term injury victims, Danny Higginbotham and Ricardo Fuller, as they inch towards possible playing comebacks next month.
Pulis, who returned last night from a spying mission on Turkish outfit Besiktas ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash, added: "We want them back as soon as we can because we have plenty of games coming up in various competitions."
