'It's not great news': Former Portsmouth man rushed to hospital with horror injury
Ben Close registered 190 appearances for Pompey after coming through the ranks at Fratton Park.
Former Pompey midfielder Ben Close was rushed to hospital earlier this week after suffering a serious injury for Doncaster Rovers.
The 29-year-old has been an ever-present fixture in Grant McCann’s side this term following Donny’s promotion back to League One.
However, Close is now set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a significant lung injury in Monday’s defeat to Stockport County.
Former Pompey man rushed to hospital with horror injury
The Fratton Park academy graduate was substituted on the hour mark following a collision in Rovers’ penalty area, which resulted in him being rushed to hospital.
Although McCann initially ruled out any potential serious fears after the game, the Doncaster boss has since delivered a more serious prognosis, which will now keep him out of action.
He told our sister paper the Doncaster Free Press: ‘It's not great news on Ben. Initially we thought he had damaged his ribs. He came in yesterday and we had to rush him straight to the hospital.
‘I think he's punctured his lung or has a collapsed lung which is not good.
‘He's been in hospital overnight. We're hoping he may get out at some point today because his condition hasn't decreased and he seems to be stable. I think he'll have another x-ray or scan next week.
‘Over the next few days he'll be checked and we'll see where he is. It's unfortunate for him but I'm pleased we got him there as quick as we could.
‘I think if he's stable enough and nothing further needs to happen then we could get him hopefully back within two or three weeks. But we'll not know until the next couple of days.’
Ben Close’s career to date
Close has enjoyed an impressive return to form at the Eco-Power Stadium, establishing himself in McCann’s engine room in League One.
The midfielder had featured 21 times for Rovers in all competitions prior to his set-back earlier this week, which also saw him net on three occasions.
The former Pompey man has totalled 110 outings for Doncaster during his four-and-a-half-year stay with the club but did spend the second half of last term on loan with National League outfit Eastleigh.
The midfielder amassed 190 appearances for the Blues after making his debut in September 2024, completing his rise through the ranks on the south coast.
Close netted 18 goals for Pompey during his time at PO4 and also started the EFL Trophy final victory against Sunderland in March 2019.