Cisse happy to be back

Djibril Cisse came off the bench to inspire Marseille to a much-needed win over Monaco – and then declared it was a “dream” to play for the Mediterranean club.

The France forward, on loan from Liverpool for the rest of the season, has been out of action since the summer after breaking his leg in a World Cup warm-up match.

But he made his competitive return to action yesterday night, playing 30 minutes and setting up the winning goal for Mamadou Niang with 13 minutes remaining.

A beaming Cisse admitted after the game he was delighted to be back after such a long time on the sidelines.

“I am very happy, I thought I was only going to get 15 to 20 minutes,” the former Auxerre frontman said.

“It is a dream come true to play for Marseille. I played in front of my mother, my wife, my friends. It still isn’t the Djibril Cisse that we all know, but it is satisfying.

“I received a great welcome from the exceptional fans. I was like a little boy starting at a new club.”

The win, only OM’s second in nine games, lifts them to fifth in the Ligue 1 table.