Midfielder ruled out for additional match

Pompey anticipate being without David Norris for an additional match after the midfielder underwent hernia surgery.

The Blues’ joint-top scorer is currently serving a three-game ban following his dismissal against West Ham.

That ruled him out of last weekend’s Cardiff trip, as well as forthcoming fixtures against Peterborough and Hull.

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Pompey have used that spell on the sidelines for Norris to go under the surgeon’s knife to solve a troublesome hernia.

That is also likely to keep him out for one more match in the form of the visit to Birmingham (February 7).

Instead, that would put Norris in the frame for the trip to Blackpool (February 11).

For manager Michael Appleton, it was essential his midfielder underwent surgery on a problem which was growing worse.

He said: ‘David’s situation was an opportunity.

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‘We didn’t want that opportunity, but it was an opportunity that arrived.

‘Now, instead of him maybe getting progressively worse because we have a small squad, we are able to get him under the knife.

‘Then we’ve got him for 15, 16 or 17 games until the end of the season.

‘To be fair with ourselves and the medical staff, we have looked after him in terms of offloading every now and again. He has been pulled out of training sessions.

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‘I think anyone who has had a hernia will know there is so much you can do. You get to a certain amount and when you start to get fatigue, that’s when you start making more damage.

‘Birmingham would be a bit quick. Most likely it will be Blackpool, so he will be missing another game.’