Sidibe could return for Stoke - 7M sport

Sidibe could return for Stoke

Posted Saturday, May 01, 2010 by PA

Striker Mamady Sidibe could return from a groin injury to face Everton in Stoke's final home match of the season against Everton.

The Malian has missed the last two matches but manager Tony Pulis is hopeful he will be back to boost a forward line which has scored just once in the last three matches.

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen will miss the remaining two league games after dislocating his elbow in last weekend's 7-0 drubbing at Chelsea, meaning Asmir Begovic will make his first start since joining from Portsmouth in January.

Pulis believes Sidibe is lacking just one thing which prevents him being a target for the Barclays Premier League's top clubs - goals.

Despite being sidelined for more than seven months after cruciate knee ligament surgery, Pulis was happy to offer the 30-year-old a new two-year contract in February which the Malian was equally content to sign.

In five seasons at the Britannia Stadium Sidibe has recorded just 26 goals, scoring two in 27 appearances so far this campaign.

It is a frustrating statistic for Pulis but the Potters boss knows the big frontman offers plenty more to his side.

"We are hoping Mamady will be fit, which will be a massive bonus," said the Stoke manager.

"No-one needs to tell me what Mama does. He's a very good player for us.

"If he had goals in him the top clubs in this country would be trying to sign him because of the work he does, because of what he does and brings to the table.

"You just wish he would score a couple more goals and take the pressure off himself."

Everton midfielders Jack Rodwell and Leon Osman could be back in contention.

The pair have both missed the last two games, Rodwell with a hamstring injury and Osman due to a knee problem.

Manager David Moyes reports no other fresh fitness issues apart from routine training knocks, which will be assessed.

John Heitinga, Marouane Fellaini and Dan Gosling have already been ruled out for the rest of the season with long-term injuries.

Moyes claims to have no interest in the fortunes of Liverpool despite wanting to snatch their European spot.

The Toffees still have a slim chance of qualifying for next season's Europa League but would probably need to oust their arch-rivals from seventh spot in the Barclays Premier League.

They trail their neighbours by five points with just two games remaining but with Liverpool up against title-chasing Chelsea this weekend, there could be a chance to cut the gap.

Yet when asked about Sunday's game at Anfield, Moyes insisted his only focus was his own team's trip to Stoke.

Moyes said: "What game? I have got no interest in Liverpool-Chelsea. I am only interested in Everton.

"I don't know what will happen in the Liverpool-Chelsea game.

"The race for seventh is a different question. All we can do is do our job and then we will see what happens after that.

"We have to win our game, which will be really tough at Stoke."

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