FORMER Blackburn Rovers midfielder Matty Holmes has been awarded a quarter of a million pounds in damages after a tackle which "shattered" his left leg.

Mr Holmes, now 34, was playing for Charlton Athletic in February 1998 when he was tackled by Wolverhampton Wanderers' defender Kevin Muscat.

His damages claim against Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club and Mr Muscat was settled at the High Court in London today without any admission of liability by the defendants.

Michael McParland, counsel for Mr Holmes, told Mr Justice Royce that, with the addition of costs, the overall sum to be paid by the defendants would be in the region of £750,000.

He added: "This will go down at the end of the day as the second most expensive tackle in British football history."

Mr Holmes was signed from West Ham United in 1995 after Blackburn won the Premier League. He made 10 appearances and scored one goal before leaving in 1997 to join Charlton.

Mr Holmes, who had claimed more than £2million, was injured during a fourth round FA Cup replay at Wolverhampton.

His barrister told the court that his injury was so severe that at one stage there was a fear his leg might have to be amputated.

The club and Muscat, who currently plays for Millwall, denied all of those allegations. They said that what happened was simply an unfortunate accident.