Wigan Athletic midfielder Shaun Maloney says Callum McManaman can handle the fallout from his horror tackle on Newcastle United fullback Massadio Haidara.

Maloney, along with everyone at Wigan, has every sympathy for the Newcastle player, and wishes him a speedy recovery.

But he also told the Wigan Observer: "Callum showed a lot of character to even make the starting XI, because I know he was struggling in the lead-up.

"His performance in the first half was absolutely brilliant, and it gave us a massive lift and got us off to a good start.

"The tackle will take the headlines, and that's a shame.

"You don't want to see any player being carried off the field with a serious injury, but I know Callum wouldn't have meant to hurt the player."