Brentford playmaker Alan Judge has cleared Luke Hyam of any blame after the Ipswich Town midfielder was involved in the challenge that broke the Republic of Ireland international’s leg.

Hyam was booked for his third minute tackle on Judge who, as a result, will miss playing in Euro 2016 with his country as a result.

The ex-Blackburn man is expected to be out for around nine moths, following the tackle which brought an angry reaction from his Brentford team-mates.

Hyam was later sent off for retaliation to a Ryan Woods tackle as the visitors won 3-1 at Portman Road earlier this month, but Judge told Sky Sports News HQ: “I had my eyes set on the ball and I can see Luke coming in and he has put in a tackle.

“He has definitely not gone out to break my leg and I don’t want him to get any abuse.

“These things can happen in football. Football can give you everything then take everything away.”

Judge has yet to watch the tackle back and added: “(The tackle) happened on the day my niece was getting christened and I was not looking forward to ringing them to let them know something bad had happened.”