Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is adamant crocked striker Mamady Sidibe won't be cut loose.

Sidibe, 31, suffered yet another injury setback this week when he collapsed during a reserve game after damaging a tendon in his knee.

It means the Malian faces a fitness battle with his contract due to run out next summer.

But Pulis said: "Mama will be looked after by this club. We'll work our socks off to get him fit.

"The specialist and people who do the operation will decide whether Mama will be strong enough physically to cope with playing again.

"He's out of contract in the summer but he won't have to worry about that.

"We'll look after him in line with our values in this family club. So we'll protect him.

"We won't know until he sees a specialist but he's very down.

"This is his fourth major operation in the last three years. He has really been in the wars but he has been such a great servant to this football club."