Stoke City FC

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Diao aims to repay Potters

04 Jul 2008 - 13:08:10

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Midfielder Salif Diao is determined to repay the faith shown in him by Stoke City and bounce back from injury in the Premier League.

The Senegal international made just 12 appearances for the Potters last season after being troubled by a nagging knee injury.

The 31-year-old has been frustrated by injury since arriving at the Britannia Stadium on a permanent basis in December 2007, but is hoping to be fully-fit for the curtain raiser against Bolton Wanderers.

Diao had spent half of the previous 2006-07 season on loan in the Championship with the Potters.

"I haven't had much of a holiday, but the most important thing is the job," he told The Sentinel. "There will be plenty of time for a holiday when I have finished playing.

"It is frustrating when you play and are not 100 per cent. Hopefully, this time I can show the fans the real side of me.

"Everyone is thinking Stoke will be one of the first teams to go down, so this is really a challenge for us.

"We have nothing to lose and I am really looking forward to it.

"If we are ready physically, then with the mentality we have, we can cause problems."