Wigan manager Roberto Martinez says midfielder Mohamed Diame is very lucky that his leg was not broken by what he called a ‘horrific’ tackle from Steve Sidwell early in the Latics’ 2-0 defeat by Fulham at the DW Stadium on Saturday.
Diame, who was forced off after just 13 minutes of the game, suffered only minor ligament damage and could be in with a chance of facing Wolves in another big game for Wigan on Sunday. Martinez slammed Sidwell’s tackle and questioned the amount of protection afforded to his midfielder by referee Mike Jones after Zdenek Grygera also launched into a strong challenge moments earlier.
We have been very lucky. It was a horrific challenge.
We have seen it a few times. At the moment of contact his leg is off the ground. If it had been on the ground, it would have been a break. Thankfully, he has only damaged his ligaments.
I don’t think it is going to be too long (before he recovers). We will see how he develops over the next 48 hours.
Momo suffered two very tough tackles in 45 seconds and received no protection at all. I still have hope for Sunday but mainly, we are just glad it is not serious.
