Whelan: Players walk a fine line

Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan accepts players walk a fine line when it comes to tough tackling – but maintains there was no malice in Ryan Shawcross’ leg-breaking challenge on Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

The 19-year-old Welshman is likely to be sidelined for several months after sustaining a sickening break of both bones in his shin in a clash with Shawcross which saw the Stoke centre-back sent off during the 3-1 defeat at Britannia Stadium on Saturday.