Stoke City forward Mamady Sidibe will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon for the second time this season.
The 31-year-old recently returned to training following the initial Achilles injury he suffered last August, and was on the brink of returning to first-team duty for the Potters.
But Sidibe suffered a huge setback in training on Thursday and manager Tony Pulis has now confirmed the Mali international will not play again this season.
Pulis told Stoke’s official website: “It's wretched luck for the lad, who has had more than his fair share of injury setbacks over the past two years.
“But there is no reason why he can't battle his way back to full fitness.
“I know he has the determination and dedication to do it and we will give him all the support he needs.
“He would definitely have played some part in the second half of our season and he was very close to being ready for inclusion in the squad, so this is a massive blow for him and us.”