CLARETS striker Andrew Cole has branded Cardiff defender Darren Purse a "muppet" after a horror tackle left him needing 10 stitches.

Cole was left with a gaping wound in his right leg after Purse caught him with a high lunge in the closing minutes of Saturday's 3-3 draw at Turf Moor.

But the incident didn't end there.

Purse, who received a straight red card for the tackle, was pursued down the down the tunnel by Cole - closely followed by officials from both clubs, stewards and police officers - as he was advised by club doctor Mike McDevitt to seek immediate treatment, but later admitted he didn't come into contact with him.

But, after the game, Cole's fury was palpable as he reacted angrily to suggestions by Bluebirds manager Dave Jones that the former Rovers hitman should take a "long, hard look at himself" for his part in the incident.

He said: "I have 10 stitches in my leg. How can Dave Jones said that about me? He is totally out of order," fumed Cole.

"I have played the game at the highest level for 18 years and some muppet tries to challenge me like that.

"I only had eyes for the ball and what disappoints me is Darren said I went over the ball yet he must have gone higher than me.

"It's David Jones who should take a long hard look at himself, after the career I have had what he thinks is irrelevant.

"I am furious about it. It is one of the worst tackles I have had in my career on me."

But Cole, who scored in the six-goal thriller in the Clarets' final home game of the season, refused to rule out playing on next term.

He added: "I adore playing football so I don't know about retirement."