Sidibe targets January return

Injured Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe is not yet able to kick a football but still believes he can return to action in January.

Sidibe has been sidelined since August after rupturing his Achilles tendon two games into the season.

The Mali international has endured a frustrating wait to rejoin his team-mates on the pitch, and is targeting a January comeback as his recovery continues to gain momentum.

“There has been no setback and it is very good at the moment,” Sidibe told The Sentinel.

“To get injured in just the second game of the season was a horrible thing to happen.”

“But now things are moving in the right direction and I have been doing a lot of running to make sure I get back to full fitness quickly.”

“I haven’t touched a football yet, but there has been no setback and I had good news from the specialist.”

“There is still some work to be done, but hopefully I’ll be back sometime in January.”

“It has been very frustrating for me to be out for so long.”