BRUCE GETS STUCK IN OVER ‘HORROR’ TACKLE
NEWCASTLE manager Steve Bruce has accused Hamza Choudhury of endangering Matt Ritchie’s career. Ritchie is out for two months after suffering ankle ligament damage in a challenge with the Leicester midfielder in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie. Bruce says it was fortunate the injury was not far worse. ‘If Matty hadn’t taken his leg away, if it had been planted on the floor, he could have been in serious trouble — it could have been career-ending,’ said Bruce. ‘It was a horror challenge. These tackles are the ones that damage you. Matt’s leg was a mess, an absolute mess.’ Choudhury, 21, who yesterday signed a contract extension until 2023, defended himself against
the criticism. ‘It was a 50-50 and he pulled out at the last minute, which made it look a lot worse,’ he said. ‘I’ve never gone in to hurt someone and unfortunately it has. I hope he gets better soon. I know Steve Bruce was a tough-tackling defender and people are quick to forget how they played football.’ A furious Bruce countered: ‘I never went over the ball. Never. I can’t remember injuring anyone, either. You can’t tackle like that any more. When you leave the floor, you are over the top of the ball in your followthrough. It is a bad challenge.’ Choudhury was sent off for England during this summer’s European Under 21 Championship
and apologised for a challenge that left France’s Jonathan Bamba in hospital with damaged ankle ligaments. Bruce said: ‘I think he must learn from it. You can get a reputation.’ Choudhury’s manager Brendan Rodgers backed his player, insisting there was no malice in the challenge. ‘Hamza wasn’t trying to injure anybody,’ he said. ‘He is genuine, honest and strong and I don’t want him to lose that edge. He will learn.’