Managers defend Carsley after horror tackle

Mick McCarthy and Alex McLeish both jumped to the defence of Lee Carsley after his horror tackle put a tarnish on Birmingham’s significant 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Wolves.

The Blues skipper was shown a straight red card in the 36th minute for a dangerously high tackle on Chris Iwelumo that looked to take more of the striker’s knee than the ball.

The Scotland international was left to play no further part in the Cola-Cola Championship clash, although early examinations suggest the injury is not as bad as initially feared. Carsley is believed to have sought out Iwelumo after the game in order to issue an apology.

And Wolves manager McCarthy said: “At the time I couldn’t really see it, but I’ve just watched it again and let me clear something up.

“Lee wouldn’t go in to hurt anybody and that’s for sure. He’s a competitor and I think he’s just mistimed it, he’s caught him and it’s not a very nice tackle.

“He’s one of the nicest blokes you’ll ever come across in football and not for one minute do I think he’s attempted to ’do’ Chris.

“But it was late and it doesn’t look nice.”