Express & Star

Salomon Rondon left 'devastated' by James McCarthy's double leg break

Salomon Rondon has been left 'devastated' by James McCarthy's double leg break at Goodison Park this afternoon.

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Salomon Rondon was visibly upset by the incident. (AMA)

The Baggies striker accidentally kicked McCarthy's leg in the second half while he was trying to shoot at goal after the Everton midfielder had tracked back and toepoked the ball out of the way at the last moment.

Rondon immediately called for medical assistance and demanded the referee stopped play before breaking down on the pitch.

Visibly distraught, he had to be consoled by team-mates and Baggies head coach Alan Pardew.

After the game, Everton boss Sam Allardyce confirmed McCarthy had broken both his tibia and fibula.

"I am absolutely devastated after such an unfortunate incident," said Rondon. "I feel really sorry for James.

"Rivalries are forgotten about when a colleague suffers such an unlucky injury.

"Even if the move had resulted in a goal, I would have preferred not to score if it meant an opponent avoided suffering such a terrible injury.

"I wish James a speedy recovery and hope to see him back playing again soon."

Despite that episode, Rondon stayed on the pitch and nearly won the game for Albion deep into injury time with a long range curling effort that smacked the crossbar.

Pardew said: "Salomon was traumatised after hearing a break or a noise.

"I didn't think he was going to carry on to be honest. Fair play to him, I thought he was the best player on the pitch today."