Norris 'gutted' at lengthy absence

DAVID Norris has spoken for the first time about the heartbreak of missing the next four months with a serious knee injury.

Elvin King

DAVID Norris has spoken for the first time about the heartbreak of missing the next four months with a serious knee injury.

He hobbled away from Saturday's 0-0 draw against Leicester City at Portman Road on crutches knowing that it is likely to be after Christmas before he is playing again.

The Ipswich Town midfielder and �2million signing suffered the injury in an accidental collision with team mate Jon Stead at Coventry on August 9.

“It is devastating,” said Norris. “I'm absolutely gutted.

“Pre-season had gone so well for me and I was set for what I was sure would be a memorable season.

“As soon as it happened I guessed it was serious.”

Norris' team-mate Lee Martin says that the heat played a part in Town's poor display against the Foxes.

The summer signing from Manchester United said: “It was tough out there and the heat played a part.

“It should be cooler tomorrow night, and this will suit us as we have played league games on two hot days.”

Martin had the only significant chance of the game for the Blues, and he explained: “I just lost my footing as I cut inside.

“We weren't as fluent as pre-season, but I' sure it will come.

“The lads worked hard and we had to dig in, but it didn't happen for us.”

Former Ipswich Town trainee and defender Wayne Brown, now at the heart of the Leicester defence, admitted that he should have won the game for the visitors.

He said: “It was harder to miss than to score.

“I just went for power. We had another couple of good chances, but it just wasn't to be and as the better side we were a little bit unlucky not to nick it.

“Ipswich had to change things and young Connor Wickham came on and did well and Tamas Priskin, who cost a lot of money.

“The game became stretched after the interval, but Ipswich still did not cause us too many problems.”