Fears that Wes Brown could miss the remainder of the season for Manchester United and the World Cup finals have been allayed, with Sir Alex Ferguson instead expecting the defender to be sidelined for between four and six weeks.
Brown sustained a suspected metatarsal injury in a challenge with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matt Jarvis on Saturday and left Molineux in a protective boot after being replaced by Gary Neville during the 1-0 win for United.
Initially it was feared that Brown, who has suffered extensively from injury problems throughout his career, would be a real doubt ahead of the World Cup finals, presenting England with another problem in defence after Ashley Cole was ruled out for Chelsea and Wayne Bridge's withdrawal from consideration.
But it is now expected that Brown will be sidelined for up to six weeks following the result of scans. Brown has started 25 games in all competitions for United this season and is important to their Premier League and European challenge.
"It's just unfortunate,'' United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted. "He has had a career blighted by injury and they've all been long ones, and now he has another. He'll be out for four to six weeks. I hope to get him back for some of the season.''
In Brown's absence at club level, young Brazilian Rafael is in contention with Neville to start against AC Milan on Wednesday night as United aim to protect their 3-2 lead from the first leg of the last-16 tie.
