Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe hopes to be back in Tony Pulis' first team as soon as possible after making a return to the reserves last week.
The 31-year old Mali international has suffered two Achilles tendon injuries in the last 13 months which he admits had him worried for his career but now he is close to peak fitness, he is looking for another chance in the top flight.
"When I did it the second time I didn't know what was going to happen," he told the club's official website.
"It is very rare to do the Achilles twice. The operation was bigger and I was in doubt if I was going to play again.
"It was really difficult but I kept working with the physio and did a lot of work to give me the confidence I could play again.
"Now everything is starting to get back to normal and I am really happy."
And Sidibe mainly wants to repay the faith shown by Pulis who named him in his Premier League this season despite the injury worries.
"That is a very big boost. The gaffer has been great with me since I have been at the club," he added.
"I could just say 'thank you' to him but the only but the only way I can thank him is to play well when he calls me to play.
"That is the only thing I can do but it is very good to be in the squad."
