Kenny Jackett: No MK Dons apology yet for Michal Zyro tackle
Kenny Jackett has spoken of his anger at the challenge that has ruled Michal Zyro out for a year – and says any apology from MK Dons defender Antony Kay is 'on his conscience'.
Wolves haven't heard from Kay following Tuesday evening's horrific tackle that earned the centre half just a booking.
Jackett said it was more than worthy of a red card – and that tackles like that have to be eradicated from the game.
Below we print Jackett's thoughts in full from today's press conference as the fallout from Tuesday night continues.
JACKETT ON...THE TACKLE
"I'm personally very disappointed.
"(Zyro) had his leg planted on the floor. It's a knee-high tackle and you could tell straight away it was a bad one and he's in trouble.
"I'm very disappointed with the tackle. To say it was a red card is putting it mildly.
"For the referee to only book him was surprising.
"I felt it was a bad tackle at the time – I told the fourth official that, I told the referee at half time, and at the end of the game when my physio had a good look at the knee I did say to the referee, this is what I think it is."
JACKETT ON...AN APOLOGY FROM KAY OR REFEREE MARK HEYWOOD
"No, they haven't. I've tried to contact the referee this morning, I'm sure he will come back to me.
"We've had no dialogue with either.
"I'm not asking for that (from Kay) – it's on his conscience what he does from here.
"My focus is on doing things professionally with the referee and the powers that be.
"I will follow up what I said on the day, I feel that's right to do that as the head coach and make my feelings known.
"We have to concentrate on supporting Michal and giving him every opportunity to come back into a Wolves shirt."
JACKETT ON...HIS EMOTIONS
"The first thought is for the player because I see a really dedicated professional and somebody who is desperate to be successful as a footballer, I do feel for him.
"I was angry at the time because I really thought it was a bad tackle.
"We can't change it, you just have to look towards the future and give him the support he needs.
"It impacts on our summer plans because he won't be anywhere near it for the majority of next season."
JACKETT ON...FURTHER PUNISHMENT
"I don't want to hamper MK Dons' chances of staying up.
"We just have to eradicate those type of tackles because it's career threatening and put a fellow professional out for a considerable amount of time."
JACKETT ON...ZYRO'S RECOVERY
"He's a tough lad, mentally. He'll work away very hard and come back stronger.
"He's a determined character, he's got to focus on getting back, there's nothing that can be done in terms of speaking to the officials.
"We have to be positive with him, and encourage him it's possible to get back, which it is.
"He's a strong individual and will get on with the work, definitely, and he'll need that.
"He'll need to dig deep, but that's okay, he can do that.
"The club is very good in terms of planning, helping and yes at the right time perhaps going home, but it can't be at the detriment of his injury.
"Having three cruciates (this season, along with Jordan Graham and Nouha Dicko), I don't think I've ever seen that.
"They've been key injuries at different times."
