BRIAN Kidd was more upset than most about the badly broken leg suffered by Norwich's midfielder Phil Mulryne - for he had worked closely with the former Manchester United youngster when they were both at Old Trafford.

But the Rovers boss was quick to defend Christian Dailly, whose tackle caused the injury, from any suggestions of malice.

"Christian isn't the kind of lad to do anything like that," he said.

"It was just mistimed.

"But I was sick to my stomach about what happened to young Phil.

"That's the other side of football and it takes the goodness away from the result."

It seemed from the Press box that Mulryne was just too quick for Dailly and, while home fans were incensed, a yellow card seemed the right verdict from the referee.

Norwich boss Bruce Rioch refused to talk about the tackle but he revealed that the player was having an operation on Saturday night.

"He has broken his leg and they are treating it as a compound fracture. The bone penetrated the skin," he said.

"When that kind of thing happens to any player you are going to feel for him. It's their occupation and their career. We now just hope that he gets back to full fitness as quickly as possible."

Rioch felt Norwich were guilty of handing Rovers their first goal which put them in the driving seat.

"I thought we started extremely well but a little bit of indecision that led to the first goal puts you back on your heels," he said.

"Blackburn didn't really have to work hard for the goal.

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