Arsenal's fixture away to Birmingham City on February 23, 2008 bore witness to one of the most horrific injuries ever to occur in the Premier League era.

Eduardo da Silva, the visitors' star striker, was rushed to hospital early in the first half after his foot was left dangling by a thread following a late challenge by Martin Taylor.

The Brum defender has often expressed his regret over the incident in the press, insisting he never had any intention to hurt the Brazilian-born player.

The Englishman has also claimed to have apologized to Eduardo, but the naturalized Croatian international said yesterday that he has never talked with Taylor.

He said in The Sun, Some friends told me he was saying hed spoken to me, but he never did. Ive never met him.

And someone at Arsenal received an email from him when I played for the reserves at Barnet a short while back and it said he was pleased I was playing again.

I have received lots of mail from other people. Ive had around 25,000 emails - from Croatia, Brazil and England - wishing me a speedy recovery and Ive had letters by the sackful.

But hes never sent anything directly to me.

After months upon months of rehabilitation, Eduardo made his long-awaited return to the Arsenal first team for the FA Cup replay against Cardiff City.

The 25-year-old scored twice as Arsene Wenger's men claimed a 4-0 win to book a spot in the fifth round, where they will tussle with Burnley for a quarter-final slot.

On the injury, Eduardo said, I did not see the tackle coming, so there was no way I could ride the challenge because I was not expecting it. When I was tackled I heard a crack.

All I can say was that I had the ball under control for what seemed like a long time. But I dont want to talk about the incident. Its probably best left alone now.