Bosses clear Lee Carsley over horror tackle

Rival managers Mick McCarthy and Alex McLeish both defended Lee Carsley after his horror tackle put a tarnish on Birmingham's vital 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Wolves.

The Blues skipper was dismissed in the 36th minute for a dangerous challenge on Chris Iwelumo that looked to take more of the striker's knee than the ball.

Early indications are that the injury is not as bad as first feared and Carsley is believed to have apologised to Iwelumo after the game at St Andrews.

Wolves manager McCarthy said: "Lee wouldn't go in to hurt anybody. He's a competitor and I think he's just mistimed it. He's caught him and it's not a very nice tackle but not for one minute do I think he's attempted to 'do' Chris."

Birmingham boss McLeish said: "Lee was upset at half-time. He knows the player is injured and he cares."

Cameron Jerome's close-range finish in first-half stoppage time and Garry O'Connor's well-taken goal in the 69th minute were enough to secure victory for Birmingham against a side who were punished for their defensive frailties.

The victory moved City to within two points of Wolves at the top of the Championship.