The 27-year-old midfielder hit three goals in three games following his return from a hamstring injury two weeks ago – a tally that matched his combined return over the previous three seasons.
Making his first appearance of the campaign, super-sub Close grabbed a 96th-minute winner at Forest Green to earn Rovers a belated maiden League Two victory in 2023-24.
Then, following a 71-minute run-out in the EFL Trophy against Everton U21s, he bagged a brace in last weekend’s 2-1 triumph over then table-toppers Gillingham.
His goal spurt might have raised an eyebrow or two, but Close did once net 15 times over two League One seasons for home-town club Portsmouth and, while confessing that his long-range strike at Forest Green was an unintended fluke, it also gave him the encouragement to try his luck twice from distance with spectacular rewards against the Gills.
Spells
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