Soccer: All White keeps support under his shirt

Tim Brown with the shoulder support he must wear. Photo / Supplied

An Auckland physiotherapist has an extra reason to hope All Whites vice-captain Tim Brown scores at the World Cup - he might remove his shirt to celebrate, showing the world the shoulder brace she designed for him.

Brown has arrived in South Africa to join the New Zealanders and, ahead of a medical assessment, coach Ricki Herbert rated his chances of returning to the squad at 90 per cent.

Three screws were inserted into his right shoulder in surgery after he fractured it in a match against Australia on May 24.

Physiotherapist Margie Olds, who designs and sells shoulder braces made from neoprene and velcro, had one specially sewn up for Brown by a Takapuna wetsuit manufacturer.

It contains extra mesh to help him cope with the heat of training and playing football in South Africa.

It is intended to limit shoulder movement and provide support.

Ms Olds hopes Brown manages to score at the tournament, but she hasn't considered the promotional possibilities for her product, which has a small branding label on the front.

"I hadn't thought of him running around with his shirt off. If he needed to, that would be fine and he could show the world my brand."

The All Whites' campaign will help NZ Football to a cash windfall. The national soccer body will get at least $10 million from the World Cup.

A slice of the profits from TAB bets will be also channelled back into soccer. As one of the sports on which TAB betting is available, soccer could receive up to $700,000 this year.