Football Spy: GUTHRIE FACING COURT THREAT.

Byline: By JOHN CROSS

HULL chairman Paul Duffen has revealed that Craig Fagan could take legal action against Danny Guthrie for the horror tackle that broke his leg.

Fagan suffered a broken tibia following Guthrie's crude challenge during Hull's 2-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday.

The Toon midfielder was sent off but escaped further punishment from the FA. And Fagan is unimpressed that Guthrie sent him a text message to apologise instead of phoning him.

Duffen said: "This is the sort of incident that, had it happened in the street, would have been regarded as common assault.

"I wouldn't want to prejudice any potential further action from Craig, yet what I will say is that he has the club's full support on this matter. We will be sitting down with him and discussing what to do, what decision or action he might want to take.

"The timing of it for Craig and the implications, short term, for his career could be significant.

"He was in the team, playing well and you have to take into account his earning ability in terms of performance bonuses and things like that.

"Every player that takes to the field needs to be respectful of his fellow professionals. It's a huge responsibility for them that the game is played in the right way."

Striker Fagan said: "I was starting to feel comfortable in the Premier League for the first time.

"As so often happens in football though, when you're doing well something like this can come along and spoil things. I'm devastated."

CAPTION(S):

UGLY Guthrie challenge