GILLINGHAM player-manager Andy Hessenthaler is ready to fly to Mali for a showdown with the country's football authorities in an attempt to sort out Mamady Sidibe’s international future.

The striker returned last Thursday morning from Wednesday’s friendly with Morocco to play in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Coventry. But Gillingham are furious that the Mali FA ignored their request for Sidibe to return immediately after Friday’s World Cup qualifier with Guinea-Bissau.

It has since emerged that Sidibe was not selected for the match and could have played against Wimbledon last Saturday.

Against Gillingham’s wishes, Sidibe was asked to stay on and played in Wednesday’s meaningless friendly against Morocco.

“The problem is a lack of communication,” Hessenthaler explained. “We can never get in touch with anyone in Mali. “We cannot get in touch with the anyone at their FA or their national manager Henri Stambouli.

“I’m not happy with the situation and Mama is very embarrassed by what’s gone on in the last week. If it means I’ve got to go to Mali and see whoever is responsible then so be it because I feel for the kid. He’s young, he’s naive and he’s been put under pressure by a national manager.

“The thing is he wants to play in the African Nations Cup which is coming up in January. That's very important to him."