Two nasty injuries have rocked two Thurlow Nunn League clubs during their pre-season preparations.

Eastern Daily Press: Diss Town (orange shirts) V Brantham at Brewers Green Lane in Diss. Adam Burroughs scores for Diss at the start of fthe second half. Photograph Simon ParkerDiss Town (orange shirts) V Brantham at Brewers Green Lane in Diss. Adam Burroughs scores for Diss at the start of fthe second half. Photograph Simon Parker (Image: Archant)

An ambulance was required twice during Premier Division champions Norwich United's friendly at First Division new boys Diss Town.

The first was required for a broken leg suffered by Norwich forward Ben Thompson after 10 minutes and the second was for a worrying knee injury picked up by Diss striker Adam Burroughs.

Injury to Thompson is a particularly big blow for the Planters as the former Norwich City trainee played a major part in the club's success last season, winning the title and the League Challenge Cup.

The 31-year-old scored 25 goals in 51 games and was also credited with 16 assists to win the club's Players' Player and Manager's Player awards.

'He broke his tibia. It's a clean break, which is probably the only good news about it,' manager Damian Hilton explained.

'Until they've operated we won't know the full extent but he's in a cast for six weeks minimum, so I think we're probably looking at four months minimum.

'We've got a good squad but I think Ben's a bit irreplaceable to be honest. At this stage of the season a lot of people have already signed on and we were still looking to bring one more in anyway – but it's a massive blow for us.'

Diss also look likely to be without Burroughs for the start of the campaign, who rejoined the club from Mildenhall Town during the summer.

After Thompson's injury it was decided to play two halves of 30 minutes but when Burroughs was hurt towards the end of the second period on Saturday, the game was abandoned, with Norwich 3-0 up, thanks to two goals from Matt Blake and one from Gavin Lemmon.

'As soon as Ben got injured the whole game took a nosedive,' Hilton continued. 'The lads knew the severity of it so it was difficult to play the game after that, and then the poor lad Adam Burroughs said he heard his knee crack as well.

'I was just devastated for Ben, I still am. It's hard enough playing and getting the season under way and then things like that happen.'