MICK McCARTHY last night called for modern day players to learn how to tackle after witnessing Youssef Safri's challenge on Sunderland's Colin Healy.

Healy's season looks to have come to a premature end after he was stretchered off during the 1-1 draw at Coventry and it sparked talk around Highfield Road of a career-ending injury sustained by former Sky Blues star David Busst.

The 23-year-old Black Cats midfielder spent the night in a Coventry hospital and will undergo an operation on a broken leg today.

But McCarthy said: "It was a good game and sadly I have to talk about Colin Healy because he is lying in hospital with a broken leg or ankle. He hasn't been X-rayed yet but I know something is broken.

"I think it's a bad tackle, it's over the ball. I am not saying there is any malicious intent but it's over the ball and he has caught Colin's leg.

"I can't disguise it as anything else. If players start to play the ball, the better we all will be - the ball is there to be kicked, after all. I am just saying it was a poor challenge. He completely missed the ball and it's sadly taken the edge off what was a good game."

Coventry's experienced player-boss Gary McAllister explained: "It wasn't what I saw, it was more what I heard; a big crack. I must admit I was praying it was a crack of shin pads, not bones.

"It was pretty disturbing seeing a footballer on oxygen on a stretcher as we went down the tunnel.

"Safri is not a malicious player, he went for the ball. Safri is feeling for Colin just like the rest of the players. I can assure you he has not intended to hurt him."

Sunderland defender Joachim Bjorklund is keeping his fingers crossed that his teammate's injury is not as serious as is feared.

But the Swede revealed: "We heard a pop on the field and it looked pretty bad but hopefully he will be alright.

"It didn't look too good but we are hoping it won't be anything too serious."

Meanwhile, McCarthy praised his players after witnessing Sunderland come away from Coventry with a point.

The Black Cats have not won in five matches and have now drawn their last three matches.

But McCarthy said: "There was lots of incidents in the game. Neither side could kill the game off.

"Jocky Bjorklund got man of the match and they have all done well really. Mart Poom and McCartney.

"I had a whinge when their penalty was given but I turned around to Sky and they said it was one so I can't say anything about it."

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