Mick McCarthy defends Steve Sidwell
Tuesday 28th September 2010, 10:01AM BST.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has defended Steve Sidwell over the Villa midfielder’s tackle that left Adlene Guedioura with a broken leg.
Sidwell’s late lunge left Guedioura with a fractured tibia and an absence of between four and six months.
But the former Chelsea man has denied any malice and relayed his best wishes to the Algeria international via the press.
And, having watched the game again yesterday with his squad, McCarthy is convinced Sidwell just arrived too late to make the tackle.
The manager said: “I’ve seen it on the constant replays and it doesn’t get any better.
“He went to get the ball and missed it. But Sidwell didn’t go to hurt Adlene – I don’t think players do.
“It’s just the nature of it that it was a late tackle, he missed the ball and caught him. Sidwell tried to tackle the ball, just didn’t get anything on it and was late.
“Sadly we’re a player down because of it, but they were just tackles. But I’m not going to bleat at other teams’ players because the game was played in a good spirit.
“There weren’t any nasty tackles.”
Going back to Guedioura, McCarthy heard a loud crack at the time of impact.
He said: “We all heard the crack. We kind of hoped it was his shinpad and maybe it was.”
McCarthy revealed Guedioura is already looking on the bright side.
He said: “‘Adlene has been really great and positive about it. Despite the break he came in yesterday and said it was good news because it’s a good break!
“So he’s already being positive, and with that frame of mind, he’ll be fine. He’s not angry or bitter and twisted – he just wants to get himself fit.
“It’s terrible for him. He’s got a lot to offer and I know he’s only come on as sub in the league so far this season but this is going to set him back.
“It could be six months with the injury he’s got.
“Hopefully there won’t be any complications.”
UK Sport
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