Stoke City boss Tony Pulis was sorry to see Mamady Sidibe break down in training last week.
The striker injured the same Achilles tendon which had kept him out this season.
Pulis, who arranged Sidibe's arrival at Stoke before being sacked in the summer of 2005, is particularly sympathetic towards the big striker's plight.
"He's been with us for a hell of a long time," he said, "and put a hell of a lot into this football club," he told The Sentinel.
"It's a massive blow for Mama and a big disappointment for me to see this happen to such a lovely kid."
Sidibe still has 17 months left on his contract and Pulis stated: "We're determined to get him fit and playing again - and I'm sure Mama will feel the same."
