Luckless ex-Portsmouth man ends latest injury nightmare after return from seven-month absence

It has been an injury-ravaged three years at Doncaster for the ex-Pompey midfielder and former Priory School pupil following a succession of set-backs.

Although totalling 83 appearances and six goals, the 28-year-old has spent several long spells in the treatment room during a frustrating time with the League Two club.

Still, Close made his latest injury comeback in Tuesday night’s 2-1 success over Huddersfield in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Selected to start, he featured for 76 minutes before being replaced by 17-year-old Sam Straughan-Brown with the scoreline at 1-1 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

It represented the next crucial step for Close, having been ruled out since sustaining a serious knee injury at Bradford at the end of January in the same competition.

Other injury absences since joining Doncaster include 10 months out with another knee problem and four-and-a-half months sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Regardless, the cultured midfielder was handed a new two-year deal in March while long-term injured, reflecting how highly manager Grant McCann rates his talents.

Pompey fan Close came through the Fratton Park ranks to make his first-team debut aged 18 years and 24 days in September 2014 at Yeovil in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

He went on to total 190 appearances, scoring 18 times, including starting the 2019 Checkatrade Trophy win over Sunderland and featuring as a substitute in the 2021 Wembley defeat to Salford.

However, despite starting 10 of Cowley’s 12 matches in charge as interim head coach, he was released in the summer of 2021 upon the expiry of his contract.

Moving to League One Doncaster as a free agent, Close suffered relegation in his first season and has subsequently worked under five managers.

Last season they lost in the League Two play-off semi-finals to Crewe after finishing fifth, while they are presently fifth following an encouraging nine points from their opening four league games.