CURTIS IS HANDED A FINAL CHANCE

RONAN CURTIS is knocking on the door of a first-team return at Wembley tomorrow after almost losing his finger in one.

Portsmouth’s Republic of Ireland winger was in danger of missing the final after chopping off the top of his finger in a door, but has been passed fit.

Curtis, who has 12 goals this season, said: “It was a really bad injury. The wind was very bad, I came out to close the door behind me, but it closed ahead of me.

“I managed to get three fingers out of the way, but that one stayed in and the door chopped it off.

“The doctor said four to six weeks, but the surgeons have done a good job, stitched it up and saved the finger.

“I couldn’t train for the first two weeks in case of infection from sweat and that might have meant I’d have lost it. But now the wound has closed and the stitches have healed, so I’m good to go.”

Curtis’ team-mate Ben Close is using Pompey legend Kanu as inspiration to write his own name in Wembley folklore.

As an 11-year-old Close was in the crowd when the striker fired them to glory in the 2008 FA Cup Final against Cardiff.

Now the midfielder (below, right) has the chance to follow in his idol’s footsteps in front of 80,000 fans. “I was there in 2008 – what an incredible moment,” said Close.

“I don’t remember loads, but I can recall Kanu’s goal, watching the teams come out for the game, the noise and the blue and white in our half of the stadium.

“At that age I probably didn’t appreciate it as much as I would now, for us to win the FA Cup is such an achievement. As the years went on I realised how well we did.

“There were four of us from my family. The celebrations at the final whistle (below, left) were fantastic. I’ve still got

the match programme and probably a flag as well. “Hopefully we can now recreate a Wembley win. My dad, mum, grandparents and close friends will be there supporting us.

“It’s crazy to think we are playing at the national stadium in a cup final, something I used to dream about.”