GILLINGHAM have signed giant French striker Mamady Sidibe to avert an attacking crisis ahead of Saturday’s league curtain-raiser against Wimbledon.

The 6ft 4in, 22-year-old from Timbuctu in Mali, agreed a three-year deal and will make his debut at Selhurst Park, probably alongside fellow French speaker Guy Ipoua.

The signing comes as immense relief to play-manager Andy Hessenthaler whose pre-season preparation has been thrown into disarray by injuries to Rod Wallace (groin) and Tommy Johnson (thigh).

With major doubts hanging over their match fitness, the Gills boss was contemplating pairing Ipoua with Paul Shaw in a make-shift strike force.

Sidibe, who finished last season as Swansea's second highest scorer with seven league goals, has rattled up four in Gillingham's pre-season friendlies, including a hat-trick at Dover.

Gills fans have been quick to liken him to former favourite Leo Fortune-West but Hessenthaler insists his latest capture is a better player. “He is a better finisher than Leo and for a big man he has quick feet,” said the Gills boss. Club chairman Paul Scally disclosed that the deal had been made possible by Sidibe’s reasonable wage demands.