Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa stand by Nigel Reo-Coker over Gary O'Neil challenge
Gary McAllister has defended Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker after reports that West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil was considering taking legal action against him.[LNB]O'Neil was carried off on a stretcher after being challenged by Reo-Coker during the Hammers 2-1 home reversal by Villa last weekend.[LNB]He underwent a two-hour ankle operation on Wednesday and is facing at least several months out of action but there is also concern his entire career may be in jeopardy.[LNB] Flashpoint: O'Neil's ankle buckles sickeningly under the challenge from Reo-Coker[LNB]Flat out: O'Neil is in a battle to save his career[LNB]In her newspaper column, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said: 'I felt sick when I read my physio's report on Gary O'Neil. He suffered the most horrendous injury and we were not even given a free-kick, let alone a penalty or even a sending off.[LNB]'It read: "They had hoped to screw his cartilage back in place but the three areas of damage were drilled and these will fill with scar tissue. This injury is very serious. Gary cannot put his foot on the floor for two months. the surgeon gives him a50 per cent chance of returning to full football again.[LNB]"He will be out for six to eight months. there is a chance the procedure may fail. Then cartilage from his knee will be needed to plug the damaged areas."'[LNB]But Villa assistant manager McAllister, who worked with O'Neil when on the coaching staff at Middlesbrough, insists the tackle was fair and that Reo-Coker won the ball.[LNB]When asked about the reports of possible legal action against Reo-Coker, McAllister said: 'I am surprised. I know Gary O'Neill quite well. I worked with him at Boro so,when I saw that the knock he got was bad, I got our video guys to show me the challenge.[LNB]'I've got to say it's a good tackle and it's the follow-through of Gary O'Neil which catches the base of Nigel's boot, where I think the problem comes from.[LNB]'Nigel clearly gets the ball. He's come from the side, not from the back and I just don't think Gary O'Neil's seen him. It was just the sharpness of the tackle and just the follow-through has caught the underside of Nigel's boot.[LNB]'I think Nigel can rest assured it was a good tackle.' [LNB] O'Neil could decide to sue Reo-Coker after career-threatening challengeWest Ham's talismanic midfielder Scott Parker voted player of the year by the Football Writers AssociationFrom Matthews to Lampard: The most deserving winners of the FWA Footballer of the Year prizeAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Karren Brady, Gary McAllister
