Howey slams 'coward' Cole

Leicester defender Steve Howey has hit out at Ashley Cole over the horror tackle which saw the Arsenal full-back sent off at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday.

Cole was dismissed after a two-footed lunge left Foxes star Ben Thatcher writhing in agony and then took a couple of minutes to leave the field as heated exchanges broke out.

Howey told The Sun: "He's done it a few times. It's a coward's challenge.

"I went across to him, to ask 'What's the need for that?' He just mouthed off - which I really wasn't happy about."

Cole is now set to miss games against Bolton on December 20, Wolves on Boxing Day and Southampton on December 29 if referee Rob Styles confirms that his dismissal was for 'serious foul play'.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has also pledged to investigate the incident further to see if any internal punishment is warranted.

"We all know two-footed tackles are dangerous and we don't encourage our players to do them," said Wenger.

"I will have to look at the incident again and decide what we do about it.

"If he wanted to hurt the opponent then that is completely wrong, but it's difficult to say and I will review the tackle on television. My reaction will depend on the intent of the player."

Cole issued an apology for the reckless challenge, which saw him become the fourth Arsenal player to be dismissed this season and the 53rd under Wenger.

However, his remorse appeared to be more directed at his Arsenal colleagues than the damage he could have done to former Spurs full-back Thatcher.

Cole admitted: "The tackle was in the heat of the moment. I didn't go over the ball and I didn't mean to hurt Ben Thatcher.

"That being said, however, I did deserve to be sent off and I have apologised to my team-mates and the boss."