Sculptor Steve Tudor's little finger was snapped when the 57-year-old singer kicked a football into the crowd at Cardiff Castle earlier this week.

I've never seen anything so reckless and stupid in all the years I've been going to concerts

Concert-goer Steve Tudor

Mr Tudor, from Penarth, south Wales, was injured as he put his hand up to shield his face from the leather ball.

He has since sought advice from a solicitor on suing for compensation - because he says the pain of his broken finger makes it difficult for him to work.

Mr Tudor, 47, suffered a broken finger as soccer fan Stewart booted balls into the crowd on Tuesday.

He shielded his face as one ball shot from the stage into the 20,000-strong crowd - but felt "agony" is it snapped his little finger.

"Reckless"

The craftsman has been forced to stop work by his bandaged finger.

"I've never seen anything so reckless and stupid in all the years I've been going to concerts," he said.

"For Rod to kick these rock-hard balls into crowds is just daft. Why doesn't he kick softer plastic ones?"

Mr Tudor, his wife Rachel, and brother Brian paid �55 each for tickets to see the performance at Coopers Field in the grounds of Cardiff Castle.

Flying missile

He was on his way back from the toilet when Rod started kicking a dozen balls into the crowd.

"I was just walking back when suddenly I saw this missile come flying straight at my head," he said.

"Out of instinct, I stuck my hand up to protect my face. Then - bang! This rock-hard ball just cracked down on my little finger before bouncing off into the crowd."

He missed the rest of the concert, spending three-and-half hours in hospital instead.

"Too much pain"

He said he was in too much pain to work at his shop in Cardiff city centre where he sells his own arts and crafts to tourists.

"I'm taking legal advice and I'm prepared to sue for compensation. I'm losing out because of the dangerous antics of Rod Stewart."

A spokeswoman for Rod's management company denied the star had acted foolishly.

Balls kicked

"Anyone who has been to a Rod Stewart concert or is a fan of his know this is something he very often does," the spokesman said.

"He is a big soccer fan, supports Celtic and, during his shows, kicks balls into the audience.

"His audiences love it and most fans try to catch the balls and take them home as a memento of his concert. It really shouldn't come as a surprise to any fan that he kicks balls out."