After two months out injured, Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe was happy to be back in action against Portsmouth at the weekend. The Mali international started alongside James Beattie against Pompey before being replaced by Richard Cresswell six minutes from time.

"It was nice to come back playing, especially at home," Sidibe told the club's official website. "I think playing 84 minutes will be good for me.

"I think I was a little bit tired, my fitness level is not that good, but I can work on it. It was not an easy game, but with more games I will improve.

"The last couple of months have been very frustrating, especially when you see the lads playing. You always want to be involved and it is not easy to be out of action.

"I have been playing some training games where you can run around a lot, but in real matches it is totally different."