Midfielder ruled out of Portsmouth's FA Cup trip to Norwich

The Southsea midfielder has been ruled out of the third-round tie after picking up an ankle injury.

Close collected his setback after coming on as a substitute during the Blues' 2-1 win over AFC Wimbledon on New Year's Day.

And the academy graduate is set to be sidelined at least two weeks.

Pompey assistant manager, Joe Gallen, said: '˜Ben Close has gone over on his ankle in the last five minutes against Wimbledon.

'˜He's going to be out for a couple of weeks. We were disappointed because he came on against Sunderland and Fleetwood and did very well for us.

'˜He's going to be out for the next two weeks, anyway.'

Nathan Thompson and Lee Brown will also miss the Carrow Road clash. 

The full-backs are confined to the treatment table with hamstring problems. 

Gallen added: '˜The two full-backs with hamstring injuries, Nathan Thompson and Lee Brown, will be out for Saturday.

'˜We'll see how it goes in the next few games.'