Man Utd suffer Brown injury blow

Brown may miss the rest of 2008

Manchester United defender Wes Brown has been ruled out for up to five weeks following exploratory ankle surgery.

The 29-year-old last played in the 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on 25 October following a good run in the United side, as well as England.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said the news was "really disappointing".

"Fortunately we have plenty of cover at right-back, with Gary Neville, Rafael Da Silva and John O'Shea available to come in."

606: DEBATE Brown could be out for the rest of the year. What are your thoughts? GalacticGarfield

Brown has endured a long list of injury problems. After establishing himself at Old Trafford during the Treble-winning season of 1998-1999 he missed the whole of the following campaign with a cruciate knee injury.

Despite another knee injury, he recovered to make England's World Cup squad in 2002, before breaking an ankle for United playing in the Champions League in the same year.

Brown has gone on to impress Ferguson and earlier this year agreed a new contract to keep him at United until at least 2012.

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