by Michael Baggaley
michael.baggaley@thesentinel.co.uk

STOKE midfielder Salif Diao is targeting a comeback for City’s next home game, against West Ham.

The 32-year-old has yet to make an appearance this season after picking up a calf injury on the eve of the new campaign.

That dashed his hopes of a flying start after he agreed a new 12-month contract in the summer.

But Diao has resumed training in the last week and came through 90 minutes in last night’s reserve game against BIrmingham.

His lack of match sharpness is likely to rule him out of Sunday’s game at Everton, but City’s following game, at home to the Hammers on October 17, looks a realistic target.

Diao said he’s relieved to be training again after a frustrating first six weeks of the season.

He added: “I went to France for a week’s treatment just to get away. It is hard coming here in the mornings, watching everyone else training and feeling useless.

“You are walking around like a ghost on the training ground.

“I got away for a week because it was starting to get in my head, but I am happy to be back and involved with the lads again.

“I am not sure I will be ready for the Everton game and, besides, the team is doing very well.

“But it is up to me now. I have two weeks during the international break to work very hard.

“I have to prove in training that I am fit enough to gain a place in the first team. But with how the team is playing at the moment, that will be very hard work.”

Diao was described as the club’s best midfielder by manager Tony Pulis last season, but the former Liverpool player has been dogged by injuries since he first joined Stoke on loan from Anfield in October 2006.

Diao will have to battle with Rory Delap, Glenn Whelan and Dean Whitehead for a central midfield spot, but he is determined to force his way into the squad.

He says he has been impressed by City’s start to the campaign, particularly as their three defeats from seven games have all been to Champions League teams.

He added: “The team has done very well so far and that is no surprise to most of us.

“We have sent out a strong signal which is completely different to last year when everyone said we were going to go down.

“I haven’t heard anyone this season talking about Stoke going down, but we need to keep pushing on the pedal.”