Kelly Smith has accused Sunderland’s Abby Holmes of trying to cause her serious damage in a challenge which saw the Arsenal Ladies star suffer ankle ligament damage.

The Watford-born forward also claimed Holmes should not be playing in the Women’s Super League because she is not good enough and labelled her tackle in the game three weeks ago as potentially career-ending.

Smith, who is a former pupil at Parmiter’s School, had only been on the field for nine minutes as a substitute when she was scythed down by the defender at the end of April.

Writing on Kicca, the 36-year-old, who has undergone a successful ligament reconstruction operation on her right ankle, said: “I have thought about what to say about this tackle but there is no hiding the fact: the tackle was malicious and designed to do one thing only – to do serious damage.

“I have watched the tackle twice since on video so this isn’t an emotional verdict. It was a disgraceful tackle and one fully intended to hurt me. I have had a lot of reaction from both my teammates and others in the game and the verdict is the same: Holmes shouldn’t be playing in this league.”

The former England international, who scored 46 times in 117 outings for the Three Lions, continued: “Sure, she apologised as I got stretchered off and Sunderland subsequently apologised to Arsenal. That’s all well and good but she should be thinking more about how to tackle, not how to apologise.

“Those type of tackles end careers. Does she really want to end someone’s career?

“She’s clearly not good enough to be playing at this level and while she gets a three-match ban I, in effect, get a 15-game ban in the league as well as cup games on top.

“I am totally laid up, can barely move to make a coffee or have a shower and face the mental challenge yet again of recovering from a long-term injury.”

Smith confirmed she tore three ligaments in her ankle and is hoping to be fully fit in three to four months.

“I am more angry than sad,” she added. “I don’t know whether I’m seen as a good scalp in the women’s game because of who I am but I am sick of being on the receiving end of challenges that are full-on physical attacks. I’ll worry about the future later. For now I am fully focused on recovering.

“But I am absolutely furious and I can’t get that tackle out of my head.”

The Watford Observer contacted Sunderland for a comment but none has been forthcoming.