Florian Lejeune hits out at Harry Kane after challenge that wrecked the start of his Newcastle career

Lejeune was forced to miss six weeks because of the ankle ligament damage caused by Kane’s challenge

Florian Lejeune has criticised Harry Kane for the challenge (AFP)

Florian Lejeune has hit out at Harry Kane for the challenge which wrecked his introduction to English football.

Kane was only cautioned for the two-footed tackle on Lejeune when Tottenham kicked off their season at St James’ Park in August.

The Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez was critical of both the tackle and the officiating of Andre Marriner for overlooking its severity.

Lejeune, making his Newcastle debut following a £8.7 million transfer from Eibar in the summer, was forced to miss the following six weeks because of the ankle ligament damage caused by Kane’s challenge.

The French defender was annoyed by the failure of Marriner to send Kane off, but also for the fact that he has not received an apology from the England forward.

“At first, I was angry,” he said. “We all make mistakes, we all commit fouls but I think an apology would have been good, especially from such a great player, the England captain, but I have never received one. I was angry then but now I have moved on.

“Was it a red card? yes. It is important to punish such tackles. It was a difficult time, a very difficult time for me because I had only just arrived here, at a new club and a new country and I was trying to establish myself in the team. I had prepared very well and then suddenly I got injured and I was very frustrated.

“I had to see a specialist and then I worked really hard and am pleased that I am now back in the squad. I do not think it was revenge challenge or anything like that just the way it was done and that there was no apology afterwards. Then again, that’s football, things like this happen all the time.

“There is a good atmosphere in the group here so that helped me during my recovery. What was difficult was not having any training and then coming back and having to train on my own, being with the physio on my own and going later to the training ground after everyone else.

Lejeune missed six weeks after Kane's challenge (Getty)

“It was a hard time, but at the end of the day, everyone was very good with me. I really feel as if I am part of this squad.”

Lejeune is now part of the Newcastle United team. He is expected to retain his place at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Saturday. Instead of Kane, he will likely face the physical power of Romelu Lukaku.

“Yes (I will be aggressive), but in a good way!” he added. “He is a very good player who plays very well with his body so we will have to concentrate and defend in a very intelligent way, and of course, try to avoid fouls. We are working on videos on the best way to stop him but to avoid bad tackles.

“Have I learned already from Rafa Benitez? Obviously, he is one of the world’s top coaches and has won loads of trophies. He has great experience. So what he says, you do. He has an eye for detail that other coaches don’t.

Lejeune claims Kane hasn't apologised (Getty)

“For example, it is mainly about preparation with him, and tactical play. He tells us to concentrate all the time, really work on concentration. Play a simple game but an aggressive one. Talk to each other, always talk to each other and play together.”

The Paris-born Lejeune is 26 now. He excelled last year at Eibar. He spent a season as a Manchester City player, when they signed him in 2015, but was loaned to Girona.

“It was a strange situation,” he said. “That episode with Man City, I did not play for them so there is nothing special about this. I do not really want to comment. It is in the past. I want to concentrate on my career with Newcastle. Can we get a result at Manchester United? Yes.”