Sidibe scored three Premier League goals for Stoke last season

Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe made his comeback from a cruciate knee ligament injury in the reserves' 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

The Mali international, 29, played for an hour of Monday's game.

Sidibe told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'm happy to be playing again. I was a little bit tired but my knee isn't sore which is really important."

He initially injured his knee in the against Fulham in December 2008 but has been out of action since March.

He added: "I was nervous playing again especially when you've had a cruciate ligament injury but when the game started I stopped worrying about it.

"I have to work much harder now if I want to get back into the first team, it'll be a challenge for me."

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