UNDER-fire MK Dons striker Ryan Lowe has phoned Tommy Elphick to apologise for the horror tackle that left the defender with an injured knee.

Lowe's X-rated challenge on on the Cherries captain during the first-half of Saturday's 3-0 win at stadium:mk sparked a furious reaction from fans and Elphick's team-mates.

But Elphick, who is facing a two to three-week spell on the sidelines, this evening confirmed Lowe had called to say sorry.

Elphick tweeted: "Fair play to Ryan Lowe calling me and apologising."

Dons boss Karl Robinson said the striker would speak with youngsters in Milton Keynes to advise them not to react in the manner he did.

Robinson told the MK News: “Lowe’s got a commitment to the community now to make sure kids in Milton Keynes don’t react in that way.

“He will help the kids in MK learn a lesson by this lesson that he has had to learn. I think it is important we use it as a positive rather than a negative from now on.”

Lowe, who made a public apology in a post-match media interview, was sent off for the two-footed lunge, which Cherries boss Eddie Howe labelled “disgusting”.

Prior to Elphick's tweet, Robinson had earlier claimed he had phoned Howe three times to ask for the defender's number but had not heard back.

The MK manager, who has issued Lowe with a fine, added: “I am happy Elphick is not out for long. You don’t want to see any player out injured and especially when it is due to a disgusting tackle like that.

“Ryan is gutted. That is not his character. He is a very grounded family man who is deeply ashamed and embarrassed about what he did.”