Hunt was taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle but fortunately the resulting x-ray showed only bruising to the ankle and foot and Croft says he didn't intentionally go out to injure his England U21 collegue.
"I would never deliberately hurt an opponent. There was no intent or malice and it was a 50-50 challenge to win the ball.
"Nobody likes to see a player carried off on a stretcher and I have apologised, though it was a genuine attempt to get the ball back after I had lost it."
Croft is currently on an extended loan to the Latics from Wanderers Premiership rivals Manchester City.