John O’Shea believes he was fortunate not to suffer the same fate as Seamus Coleman after finding himself on the wrong end of a Gareth Bale challenge.
Seconds before Republic of Ireland skipper Coleman was left with a double leg fracture during Friday night’s 0-0 World Cup qualifier draw with Wales, the Sunderland defender was caught high and late by Real Madrid star Bale.
Asked if the former Tottenham man’s challenge had been late, the 35-year-old, who will now miss Tuesday night’s friendly against Iceland, said: “Maybe, but thankfully I’m walking away from it, which is no problem.
“I’ve had plenty of stitches put in there. I was lucky considering what has happened to Seamus. On another night there could have been two red cards.
“I can’t remember how many stitches it was. The doctor had to stick some in deep and a few dissolvable ones on top. Hopefully it will heal quickly.”
Wales manager Chris Coleman later launched a passionate defence of both Bale and Neil Taylor, who was sent off for his foul on Seamus Coleman, and O’Shea had few complaints.
He said: “You expect it, obviously within reason. When you’re playing England, Scotland or Wales, the games are going to be like that. They are the games you want to be involved in.
“As the opposition manager, you’re going to protect your own players. In a derby game, you’re going to expect some tasty tackles – but, as I said, within reason.
“There’s no problem getting a hard tackle – but if it’s late, it’s a different story.”
O’Shea was significantly more fortunate than Coleman, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on Saturday.
He said: “Hopefully everything goes to plan and he comes back as strong as ever. With the type of player he is, he’ll recover quickly and be back on that pitch as soon as possible.”
Taylor’s 2018 World Cup campaign could now be over when FIFA’s disciplinary committee meet to decide the Wales defender’s punishment.
Any player sent off serves an automatic one-match ban and the disciplinary committee can then add a further suspension depending on the incident.
Given the severity of Taylor’s challenge the Aston Villa player could receive an additional four-match suspension which would mean he could play no further part in Wales’ bid to reach the finals in Russia.
Taylor’s Wales team-mate Joe Allen said: “He’s in bits to be honest. He is one of my best mates, he’s a great guy and really disappointed that one of his tackles has ended up with someone getting hurt.
“Unfortunately in football, it doesn’t happen too often but, these things can happen. There was no malice in the tackle. He certainly wouldn’t have intended to hurt anyone. I know him as well as anyone.
“It goes without saying. Everyone hopes it’s not as bad as it looks and I hope it’s a good recovery.’