GARY SPEED, the Sheffield United manager, refused to blame Nottingham Forest substitute Dele Adebola for the injury which threatens to rule Kyle Bartley out of action for the next two months.
The on-loan centre-half suffered a fractured cheekbone when he tangled with Adebola during the closing stages of last night's 1-1 draw at the City Ground.
Bartley was rushed to hospital for treatment immediately after the final whistle but Speed said: "I know Dele and I know he won't have meant it.
"He got there a little bit late but it was an accident, a clash of heads. He's a big unit.
"I realised straight away what Kyle had done because I've done it myself. The bone was depressed.
"Fortunately surgery has advanced a lot since I did it 15 or so years ago. And you often see players wearing masks.
"Hopefully there won't be any complications and Kyle will be back in action within six to eight weeks.
"But the main thing is his own health. The biggest priority is making sure he heals properly."
Richard Cresswell fired United into an early lead but Forest preserved their year-long unbeaten record at home when a mistake by Steve Simonsen gifted Paul McKenna a second-half equalier.
"Yes, it was a mistake," acknowledged Speed. "But Simmo has saved us on more than enough occasions this season."
Speed, meanwhile, has revealed he is unlikely to make further additions to his squad until after this weekend's npower Championship clash with Watford at Bramall Lane.
The former Wales midfielder has already signed Manchester United's Ritchie de Laet and goalkeeper Richard Wright during the emergency loan window although the latter arrived on a free transfer after parting company with Ipswich Town.
