Stoke City FC

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• Manager:Tony Pulis

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Sidibe may return by Christmas

26 Aug 2010 - 16:02:53

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Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is hopeful that striker Mamady Sidbie will make a return to action much sooner than expected after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury.

The Potters had feared that the 30-year-old Mali international could be sidelined for up to a year, but Pulis now has hopes that Sidibe will be back in contention before the end of the calendar year.

He told the club's official website: "It looks as though he could be back around Christmas time and that is pretty positive considering what we were hearing after the (Spurs) game.

"It is still a massive blow for the kid because he has not long recovered from a cruciate knee injury and this has really taken him back again, so we are all feeling for him.

"But he is a great lad and we will all give him a cuddle and stick by him.

"He is strong and will come through this, but it is a major disappointment for us because he is an important player for us."