Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe has revealed that he feared for his career after suffering an Achilles injury earlier this year.

The former Swansea City and Gillingham centre-forward ruptured his Achilles tendon in February, the second time he has suffered the injury in his career.

However, the 31-year-old, who has not made an appearance for the Potters in 13 months, believes that he is close to making a return to action.

"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."

Sidibe has been at the Britannia Stadium for six years.