Eduardo intent on swift recovery

Eduardo receives treatment after the tackle by Martin Taylor

Arsenal's Eduardo says he is determined to make a swift return to football after undergoing surgery for a double compound fracture of his leg.

The striker was moved from Birmingham to a London hospital on Sunday.

"All I remember is that when I fell, I looked down at my foot and it had turned the other way. The rest is just a blank," he said.

"My concentration is on making as quick a recovery as possible. I am determined to overcome this injury."

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The 24-year-old suffered the horrific injury on Saturday after a tackle from Birmingham captain Martin Taylor, who was sent off.

He will miss the rest of the season and Croatia's Euro 2008 campaign, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger fearing a "much longer" absence.

"It was an unfortunate situation but these things can happen in football," Eduardo added.

"I would like to say how touched I am by the many messages of support I have received and to be surrounded by my loved ones at this time."

It wasn't a malicious tackle and the reason the ref has sent him off is because he has seen Eduardo has broken his leg Stephen Kelly, Birmingham defender

Croatia manager Slaven Bilic described the injury as "horrible" while Croatia captain Niko Kovac said: "I can't believe such brutality still exists in football."

But Bilic played down Eduardo's absence from the Euros, adding: "Most important is he recovers as soon as possible and resumes his career."

Taylor was heavily criticised by Wenger on Saturday for the tackle that broke Eduardo's leg, before the Arsenal boss retracted his most scathing comments.

And Taylor's team-mate Stephen Kelly came to the defence of his captain.

"I think Mr Wenger's comments after the game were so harsh," said Kelly.

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"That is disgraceful talk from Arsene Wenger. It is terrible. You know the way Martin is. He slid along the ground.

"He has gone in with one foot. You see players going in week in and week out, diving in with two feet, and lunging and that sort of thing is a disgraceful challenge.

"It is a terrible thing for Wenger to say, especially about someone like Martin."

Kelly added: "It wasn't a malicious tackle and the reason the ref has sent him off is because he has seen Eduardo has broken his leg.

"I don't think you can send a player off for that. That's football. It can happen. It is an accident."