Player cries over rival’s broken leg

A ‘‘devastated’’ English Premier League player broke down in tears after a rival defender broke his leg in a tackle.

Salomon Rondon, West Bromwich Albion’s leading scorer, was bearing down on goal yesterday when he was confronted by Everton’s James McCarthy, who broke his leg in two places in a legitimate sliding tackle.

Rondon, a Venezuela international, was visibly distressed as McCarthy was taken from the field on a stretcher and later said he hoped to visit the Republic of Ireland international in hospital.

‘‘I am absolutely devastated after such an unfortunate incident,’’ Rondon told West Bromwich Albion’s club website.

Everton manager Sam Allardyce later confirmed McCarthy had fractured his fibia and tibia. Rondon said he felt sorry for McCarthy. ‘‘Rivalries are forgotten about when a colleague suffers such an unlucky injury.

‘‘Even if the move had resulted in a goal, I would have preferred not to score if it meant an opponent avoided suffering such a terrible injury.

‘‘I wish James a speedy recovery and hope to see him back playing again soon.’’

Rondon repeated his concerns in a Twitter message.

Allardyce confirmed after the 1-1 draw that McCarthy would miss the rest of the season.

‘‘It’s a tibia and fibula fracture compounded. A very nasty injury,’’ he said in the Daily Express.

‘‘We had just worked hard to get him back to fitness.’’