Martinez fumes at tackle

Wigan chief not happy with Ridgewell challenge

Last updated: 1st March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Martinez fumes at tackle

McCarthy: After Ridgewell challenge

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Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has slammed Liam Ridgewell for what he described as a 'leg-breaking challenge' on James McCarthy.

The Wigan starlet was forced off after Ridgewell's sliding tackle during Birmingham's 1-0 win at St Andrews on Saturday.

McCarthy had been struggling with an ankle injury and he could now miss out on making his Republic of Ireland debut as they face Brazil at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

And Martinez was left furious with Ridgewell and referee Anthony Taylor - who took no action against the Blues defender.

"It was a leg-breaking challenge - there are no two ways about it," Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post.

"It is difficult to understand how Ridgewell missed the ball, because it was not moving.

"For the referee not to at least caution him was strange.

"But James is a fit, young man and that allowed him to react well to the challenge.

"It will difficult for him to be fit, because it was a horrendous challenge that he suffered.

"Hopefully the ankle will get a lot better - we'll just have to wait and see."