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Newcastle crock Haidara hits out over McManaman horror tackle
MASSADIO HAIDARA has revealed his surprise that Wigan’s Callum McManaman was not banned after his horror tackle on him.
The Newcastle defender, out with bruising after the incident on Sunday, said: “His tackle could have ended my career and ruined my life, but in the end he will play before me.
"We have to protect the players. I don’t want to change the physical mentality...but we can’t tolerate tackles like this one.”
The French full-back, victim McManaman's shocking challenge, has praised the support he has received since the weekend via his Twitter account.
Haidara said: “I’m getting better. I want to thank all of you for your messages of support, it really touches me.”
The 20-year-old could play again this season, but was lucky to avoid months of rehabilitation as the tackle came close to discolating his knee-cap.
The Mapgies manager Alan Pardew signed the former Nancy player for around £2m during the January transfer window, and was present at Newcastle's training ground yesterday to see his team-mates not on international duty and arrange a plan for his recovery.