Wolves goalkeeper suffers freak injury after punching tactics board

Carl Ikeme hurt himself in frustration after an uncharacteristic mistake

Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme (GETTY IMAGES)

Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme staked his claim for most bizarre football injury after punching a dressing room tactics board during a defeat to relegation rivals Bristol City on Saturday.

The stopper, who has been one of the few bright spots in a disastrous season for Dean Saunders’ men, couldn’t contain his rage at half-time after an uncharacteristic mistake handed the initiative to City in an eventual 2-1 defeat.

Saunders said: "Carl was frustrated at making his mistake and has punched the tactics board which is only cardboard but there is a metal bar at the back of it which has damaged his hand. He has not meant to break his hand - Kevin Doyle kicked the corner flag after scoring his goal and he could have ended up breaking his foot!"

An over-hit backpass proved to be too strong for the ‘keeper, who let it wriggle under his foot much to the fury of his manager. The pair exchanged words at the interval and Ikeme snapped. He was replaced by Dorus De Vries at half-time, but the ex-Doncaster boss didn’t realise the extent of the wound.

"After the game I didn't know he had broken his hand," the Welshman continued.

"I'm not sure whether he will be out for the season but it will be for some weeks. He is our number one goalkeeper and will probably feel more stupid about it than anyone. I've spoken to him and he can barely talk to be honest with you, he's that disappointed."

Ikeme may be out for the season now, which could cause irreparable damage to the Black Country outfit’s fight for Championship survival. With Wayne Hennessay still on the physio table, Saunders may be prompted to recall Aaron McCarey from his loan spell at Walsall.