Monday 11 April 2016 13:37, UK
Luke Hyam says he is "distraught" after Brentford winger Alan Judge suffered a broken leg in a tackle from the Ipswich midfielder.
Judge is due to undergo surgery and is facing a lengthy lay-off after Hyam's challenge in the second minute of Town's 3-1 defeat at Portman Road on Saturday.
Hyam was booked for the challenge and later sent off after picking up a second yellow card for retaliating to a foul by Ryan Woods.
"There was nothing malicious in the tackle and I hope Alan recovers quickly," Hyam told Ipswich's website.
"I've been out injured for a year myself and the last thing I want to see is a fellow pro getting injured like that. I would never wish that on anyone.
"I feel distraught over it. It was distressing to see and definitely affected me. My head had gone.
"I know the Brentford lads were getting into me but I should never have reacted the way I did to get sent off, which was obviously disappointing on my part.
"My thoughts are with Alan though. I'd like to contact him in a day or so and just give him my best and say how sorry I am that he has got injured like that. I just hope he's back playing as soon as possible."
The injury has ended any hopes Judge had of making the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 squad, but the 27-year-old has vowed to return stronger.
"First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their messages of support from the Bees fans, players I have and have not played with and from fans of other clubs around the country," Judge tweeted along with a picture from his hospital bed.
"It has been very touching to me and my family. This is football and things like this happen. That's life.
"I will be back stronger and much better than I have been before. I will achieve my dream one way or the other. Nothing will hold me back."
