Merson slams Armstrong over tackle

The former England star was forced off in the first half of Saturday's 3-1 win at Hillsborough after a heavy tackle from Armstrong.

Merson believes that he was lucky not to suffer a serious injury as a result of the tackle

"He could have broken my leg. It was a bad tackle," Merson told The News. 

"I saw him coming after I'd passed the ball. I tried to get out of the way. If he had followed through rather than hit my foot he would have broken my leg.

"They targeted me but I'm surprised it's taken 21 games for someone to try to kick me. I thought it would happen sooner rather than later.''

Meanwhile, Steve Stone's loan move to Portsmouth has been cut short by injury.

The former Nottingham Forest ace has returned to Aston Villa after picking up a hamstring injury.