Dickson Etuhu has been cleared of any wrong-doing over the tackle which left former team-mate Adam Nowland with a broken leg - although he was ignored by the Preston team after their success at Carrow Road on Monday.

Dickson Etuhu has been cleared of any wrong-doing over the tackle which left former team-mate Adam Nowland with a broken leg - although he was ignored by the Preston team after their success at Carrow Road on Monday.

Preston midfielder Callum Davidson admitted the entire Preston squad ignored Etuhu, even though he believed the Canaries midfielder - who completed a permanent transfer between the two clubs less than 24 hours after the incident - was innocent.

“It was a 50-50 ball,” he said. “There is no intent with Dickson. I know him and he wouldn't do that.”

Nowland spent Monday night in a Norwich hospital and was assessed by a specialist yesterday morning to see if he needs surgery to repair breaks to both tibia and fibula.

It is expected he will be moved the 220 miles back to Lancashire later this week.

Meanwhile, Preston striker Danny Dichio suffered a broken nose when he was elbowed towards the end of the game - an incident which sparked angry scenes in the North End dugout.

Preston boss Billy Davies and his coaching staff were incensed with the challenge by City midfielder Ian Henderson.