James Maddison has revealed his anger over the horror tackle that is set to see a Leicester City youth player ruled out for up to nine months.
Will Alves was on the receiving end of a sickening challenge from Wolves defender Caden Voice during an FA Cup youth tie that has resulted in the midfielder suffering an ACL injury.
Voice at best was extremely late with his studs first challenge on Alves's knee, but few Leicester players were left in little doubt over the Wolves defender's intentions after angrily confronting him as group over the tackle that left Alves in agony on the ground.
Maddison admitted he weighed up whether to voice a public opinion on the incident before blasting it as unacceptable on Twitter.
He said: 'Wasn’t sure whether to comment on this publicly but feel like it really needs to be looked at.
'This tackle is not acceptable in any way. I’m devastated for young Will. A brilliant kid with a bright future now having to recover from this horrific challenge.'
Maddison's comments come as he prepares to return to action with Leicester having arrived back from England's World Cup exit, and he was seen at Ally Pally on Friday night enjoying the World Darts Championships as he gears up for a return to domestic duty.
Alves took to Instagram to confirm the worst fears of those connected to the club that he had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury as a result of the challenge.
'A week full of ups and downs, devastated to announce that I have torn my ACL,' he said.
'I will give everything to get back on the pitch to do what I love the most. I’ll be back stronger.'
Rodgers, meanwhile, was more scathing in his assessment of the situation - declaring the challenge 'one of the worst' he's seen in his career.
'It’s a sad one for us,' Rodgers said. 'We lost one of our young talents, Will Alves, who came on in the MK Dons game.
'He wanted to play in the Youth Cup game the night after and played in that. They went through in the tie, our Under 18s, but he was taken out with one of the worst challenges I’ve seen on a football field.
'It’s such a shame for a young player who’s 17, who’s really making his way in the game and making his mark in training and the way he’s been.
'It’s a real disappointing one for us. We wish him a speedy recovery in getting back. It’ll be the rest of the season he’ll be out for.
'His rehab will start over these next few weeks and he’ll have an operation after that.'
ACL injuries are notoriously difficult to overcome, with the path back to a level somewhat resembling that of where you were at a long and arduous one.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, himself a product of Leicester's academy, offered support to the devastated youngster, saying his support was there should it be needed.
'Get well soon mate. Support here if you need it,' he said.
Meanwhile, Alves' own youth team-mates said Voice deserved more than the red card punishment he was dished out.