by Martin Spinks
martin.spinks@thesentinel.co.uk

TONY Pulis has dropped his biggest hint yet that Mama Sidibe will step straight back into Stoke’s starting line up for Saturday’s six-pointer at home to Portsmouth.

Sidibe is back training normally again after being sidelined since December 13 when he hyper-extended his knee in the goalless draw with Fulham.

And now the popular Mali international is being lined up for a quickfire recall as Pulis contemplates the vacancy left in attack by Ricardo Fuller’s dislocated shoulder.

“Mama is back on the training field and looking fine so far,” said the City boss. “The big fella is a naturally fit lad, not to mention immensely strong, and so he comes into quicker consideration than most players.

“I would have preferred him to have got some kind of game under his belt last week, but that wasn’t to be when we had to call off the friendly against Crewe.

“You hope players get through on adrenalin when you bring them back into the reckoning, but we’ll wait until the end of the week before making a serious decision on Mama.

“As ever, it’s not about individuals, but what is best for the team, and our lads understand that.”

Pulis is still awaiting developments at managerless Portsmouth ahead of their trip to the Potteries.

But early indications suggest the team is likely to be run again by caretaker boss Paul Hart and newly-appointed coach Brian Kidd.

STOKE City supporters are being invited to attend the annual general meeting of the Fans’ Forum tomorrow night at the Tollgate Hotel in Blurton (8pm).

Anyone interested in joining the Forum’s committee, which works with the club to promote supporter interests, is particularly welcome.