Source: Telegraph
Nigel de Jong 'a great player' says Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini
De Jong's sliding tackle slammed into Newcastle United midfielder Ben Arfa's standing left leg in City's 2-1 Premier League victory on Sunday, leaving the Frenchman with a double break requiring surgery. [LNB]The next day with De Jong having already travelled to the Netherlands, national coach Bert van Marwijk removed the 25-year-old from his squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Moldova on Friday and Sweden four days later. [LNB]"As his club manager I wish to say that whilst he is naturally competitive, Nigel is first and foremost a great player as well as being honest and loyal and I support him wholeheartedly," Mancini told the Manchester City website www.mcfc.com. [LNB]De Jong attracted criticism in July's World Cup final for kicking Spain's Xabi Alonso in the chest. The challenge earned him only a yellow card but English referee Howard Webb later said he wished he had shown a red instead. [LNB]De Jong's was not the only challenge to come under the spotlight at the weekend with Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Karl Henry shown a red card for a late lunge that sent Wigan Athletic's Jordi Gomez cartwheeling along the field on Saturday [LNB]Henry apologised on Tuesday, saying he had deserved to be sent off in the 11th minute of the match which Wigan won 2-0. [LNB]"Having watched it again I can see that it looks horrific," he said. "I have already apologised to the manager and the boys but I'd also like to apologise to the supporters." [LNB]
