NO LAUGHING MATTER – LEDLEY

WALES manager Chris Coleman has revealed Neil Taylor sought out Ireland captain Seamus Coleman in the changing rooms after his horror tackle left the Everton man with a broken leg.

The Ireland full-back had to be withdrawn from the pitch after Taylor’s challenge in the 69th minute of his side’s 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Taylor has been heavily criticised for the tackle on social media, while players and fans have flooded the Everton defender with messages of support.

But Wales boss Coleman has revealed that Taylor is devastated by his actions and that the Aston Villa man went into Ireland’s changing room after the match to apologise for the horror challenge.

“Sadly for Seamus it looks like a bad one,” said Wales boss Coleman.

“Neil Taylor is not that type of player. He’s had a serious injury himself. He’s a great boy and a cracking lad.

“I’ve not seen the challenge but I’ve seen the outcome and it’s a bad one for Seamus and that’s a shame because he’s someone I respect. I think he’s one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. I hope he’s not out for too long. It looks like we got that one wrong on our part.

“I’m not sitting on the fence, but I’ve only seen it in real time when it happened.

“Neil Taylor is devastated himself but that’s not going to make Seamus feel any better.

“I’m not sure if Seamus was there but Neil went at the end of the game across to where the Ireland changing rooms were and I think he was looking for Seamus. I’m not sure if he got hold of him but he went over there.” JOE Ledley has slammed social media abusers who claimed he was laughing at Seamus Coleman’s horror injury , saying ‘they need their heads testing’.

One Twitter user posted a screengrab of Ledley, questioning whether the Crystal Palace midfielder was grinning while Ireland captain Coleman received treatment for the broken leg suffered after Neil Taylor’s reckless challenge during the 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw in Dublin.

Taylor received a red card for the challenge but he and Ledley were then accused of smiling at the aftermath of the incident.

Yet Ledley – who suffered a leg fracture last year just before the Euro 2016 finals – actually appears to be grimacing as he stands with his back to Coleman in the screenshot.

Still, some angry Twitter users

The draw leaves Wales four points behind Martin O’Neill’s men and Serbia who beat Georgia 3-1 in their fifth qualifying match.

Meanwhile teammate Joe Allen has spoken of just how distraught close friend Taylor was after the horror tackle.

But the midfielder conceded the reckless challenge and the resulting red card cost Wales their hopes of a win in Dublin as they failed to boost lashed out at the 30-year-old regardless with a string of abusive messages posted at the 71-cap international.

And it forced Ledley to make a statement on the site, despite admitting he did not want ‘to acknowledge the nonsense’ in reaction to the picture.

It read: “I didn’t want to acknowledge the nonsense on here but to those who have wrongly interpreted & commented on what my thoughts were at that moment in time need their heads testing.

“My thoughts are with Seamus Coleman & I wish him a speedy road to recovery.”

Ledley was subbed soon after the dismissal as Chris Coleman brought on Cardiff defender Jazz Richards to help Wales hold on for a point in the tense derby at the Aviva. World Cup hopes by beating group leaders Ireland.

Allen believes Martin O’Neill’s side were fading, heading into the final 20 minutes of the tense encounter at the Aviva where Wales had been below par but comfortable.

But Taylor’s wild, mistimed lunge saw the chances of making that count dashed.

Allen, 27, insists he did not have a good view of the tackle that angered Ireland fans, but said: “I think everyone hopes it’s not as bad as it looked and that Seamus has a good recovery. “Neil is in bits, to be honest. Tayls is one of my best mates; he’s a great guy and he’s really disappointed that one of his tackles has ended up getting someone hurt.

“Unfortunately in football these things can happen. There was no malice in the tackle and he certainly wouldn’t have intended to hurt anyone.

“I know him as well as anyone and I think everyone is disappointed and from Seamus’ point of view it doesn’t look great.”

The full-back’s injury somewhat