Kevin Davies apologises to Tom Cleverley for tackle

 

Cleverley hobbled off the pitch after a challenge by Bolton's Davies 

 

Bolton captain Kevin Davies has apologised to Tom Cleverley after his challenge left the Manchester United midfielder with ligament damage.

Davies' wife, Emma, said: "For all the ill-informed haters... Kevin spoke to Tom Cleverley on the phone. He would never intentionally hurt anyone."
The injury occurred in the fifth minute of United's 5-0 win at Bolton and the 22-year-old will be out for a month.
Cleverley was substituted and left the ground in a protective boot.

We expected it, it was a bad tackle

Sir Alex Ferguson

 

The injury means Cleverley will miss England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro in October in addition to club matches.
"It was unfortunate," Ferguson told BBC Sport of the injury. "We expected it, it was a bad tackle."
Davies was not cautioned for the incident but shortly afterwards picked up his 100th Premier League booking after a challenge on Patrice Evra.
Cleverley has made a name for himself since returning to United this summer following loan spells at Leicester, Watford and Wigan.
He has won 16 caps for England's Under-21 team and was called up by Fabio Capello for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales last month, but is yet to make his senior England debut.