Stoke star Whelan thankful for small tackle after 'lucky' Vieira ding-dong

Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan believes Patrick Vieira was lucky to escape a red card after he was caught with a kick in the groin on Tuesday night - all thanks to not being 'well-endowed'.The Manchester City midfielder was retrospectively charged with violent conduct by the Football Association on Wednesday and has until 6pm today to lodge an appeal.But the Republic of Ireland international, 26, insists he relished the midfield duel with the veteran Frenchman and played down his collision with the ex-Arsenal ace. Hard tackle: Stoke star Whelan admits he was lucky to survive Vieira's wild lunge'I said to the referee and to Patrick Vieira himself that he's been lucky, but you just have to get on with it,' said Whelan. Vieira faces three-match ban as FA charge City star for kicking WhelanStoke winger Etherington could make speedy return after knee injurySTOKE CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail