Mamady Sidibe: Southend United give trial to former Stoke striker
Last updated on .From the section Football
Former Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe is on trial at Southend United.
The 34-year-old's eight-year spell with the Potters ended in the summer of 2013, and he was released by Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia last December.
Sidibe scored 26 goals in 186 games for Stoke, having previously played for Swansea City and Gillingham.
"I've brought him in to nudge the strikers and to see if he can get a contract," Southend boss Phil Brown told BBC Essex.
"Mamady has been on my radar for a number of years. He's always impressed me with his mentality and attitude. He's not prolific in terms of goal-scoring, but he does affect the game."
Mali international Sidibe, who is 6ft 4ins tall, played 30 minutes for the League Two side in a development game this week.
"He's ring-rusty by his own admission. He's been in the wilderness, no-man's land. We'll see what the situation is on Friday," Brown added.