Antonio Conte has jumped to defend defender Gary Cahill after former Hull City midfielder Ryan Mason was forced into retirement.

Cahill and Mason were involved in a accidental clash last January during a game between the two clubs, leaving Mason with a fractured skull.

After over a year on the sidelines and extensive rehab, Mason recently announced he was to retire from football at the advice of doctors.

Cahill was quick to respond to the news, saying he felt “devastated” at the news.

“Devastated to hear today’s news from Ryan,” said Cahill on his official Twitter account, “Competing for a corner is something we’ve done thousands of times and to see those consequences for a top professional like Ryan is heartbreaking.

“Sending all my love to him and his family, and wishing him the best for the future.”

However Antonio Conte was quick to defend the Chelsea star after Mason’s announcement, insisting the England international was not to blame for what can only be described as an ‘accident’.

“When you play and you always behave with great honesty, and we are talking about a top player in terms of his commitment before, during and after the game, this type of situation can happen,” said Conte of Cahill, “I was a player and my team-mate broke my leg when I was 16. I risked ending my career and it was an unlucky situation.

“Gary is a fantastic guy, a fantastic person and he must be okay because it’s not his fault. I must be honest, I haven’t spoken with him. If I have to go and speak with him it means there is a problem and I don’t see a problem because that’s football.

“This type of situation can happen but the most important thing is there was no will to do that. We are very sad about this news but this is football and you have to try to accept these bad situations because they can happen.”