Tearful Salomon Rondon recalls James McCarthy injury against West Brom
Salomon Rondon has broken down in tears during a television interview recalling a horror injury by James McCarthy he accidentally caused.
The Venezuelan, who is currently on loan at Newcastle, accidentally broke the midfielder’s leg in two places during Albion’s 1-1 draw with Everton in January.
McCarthy is yet to make his first-team return from the tibia and fibula injuries, but is back playing for the Toffees’ under-23s. And the incident that caused the injury still haunts Rondon, 10 months on.
“Life played me a bad turn because I was the one who experienced it… I’m crying because apart from the fact that he’s a fellow professional, it was an injury that I actually felt when it happened... I’ll never forget it… it was tough,” said Rondon.
“Thanks to God, I didn’t need the help of a psychologist because my family were there for me, but it’s something that I never wanted to experience.
“In all of my naivety, I apologised to him, but it was totally unintentional. I didn’t want it to happen and didn’t think it would ever happen.”
The injury happened when the Albion striker shaped to shoot, only for McCarthy to come from behind and toe-poke the ball away, meaning Rondon struck the back of his leg.
After hearing a snap, the Venezuelan immediately urged referee Stuart Atwell to stop play so medics could treat McCarthy before breaking down in tears on the pitch.
He later sent McCarthy a heartfelt message, which read: “Rivalries are forgotten about when a colleague suffers such an unlucky injury. Even if the move had resulted in a goal, I would have preferred not to score if it meant an opponent avoided suffering such a terrible injury.”
Reports in the North East suggest Newcastle could look to seal a permanent deal for Rondon in the January window. That could open the door for Dwight Gayle to stay on permanently at Albion.