Newcastle man slams Harry Kane over horror tackle

Newcastle defender Florian Lejeune has revealed his anger at Harry Kane for the challenge which injured him back in August.

In the season opener at St James’ Park Lejeune, 26, was the victim of a two-footed tackle from the England skipper, which forced him out of the next six weeks.

Kane was only booked for the offence, which Rafa Benitez slammed after the game, but to make matters worse the former Eibar man is yet to receive an apology from the Spurs No. 9.

“At first, I was angry,” said Newcastle’s summer recruit. “We all make mistakes, we all commit fouls but I think an apology would have been good, especially from such a great player, the England captain, but I have never received one. I was angry then but now I have moved on.

“Was it a red card? yes. It is important to punish such tackles. It was a difficult time, a very difficult time for me because I had only just arrived here, at a new club and a new country and I was trying to establish myself in the team.

“I had prepared very well and then suddenly I got injured and I was very frustrated.

“I had to see a specialist and then I worked really hard and am pleased that I am now back in the squad. I do not think it was revenge challenge or anything like that just the way it was done and that there was no apology afterwards. Then again, that’s football, things like this happen all the time.

“There is a good atmosphere in the group here so that helped me during my recovery. What was difficult was not having any training and then coming back and having to train on my own, being with the physio on my own and going later to the training ground after everyone else.

“It was a hard time, but at the end of the day, everyone was very good with me. I really feel as if I am part of this squad.”