Soccer: Cup trip not ruled out yet

Tim Brown in action during the All Whites' friendly match against Australia. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Tim Brown will jump on a bike today as he starts his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery and is so desperate to play at the World Cup, he'd ride it to South Africa if he had to.

The All Whites vice-captain fractured a shoulder in the 2-1 defeat to Australia on Monday night. Brown thought his campaign was over and had tears in his eyes when the fracture was confirmed.

But yesterday he remained "really positive" he would take his place in South Africa. A final decision will be made on June 10.

"If I can't go, I won't go to South Africa," Brown said at the Auckland Surgical Centre yesterday. "I will have to go somewhere where they don't know about the World Cup. Invercargill has been suggested.

"To be perfectly honest, I'm not critical to the team. It's not a Dan Carter or Ryan Nelsen situation. What I believe is that, if I'm fit, I can contribute and I can help them. I will go over there if I believe I can do that. If not, I won't because I don't think it's fair and we have worked pretty hard to build a culture of real honesty and togetherness.

"If I go over there [not 100 per cent fit], I would do a disservice to my mates and the shirt. I am desperate to play. I want to score a goal at the World Cup. I want to play at the World Cup."

Brown said he had been overwhelmed by the support he had received. Prime Minister John Key had popped in to offer his support and "talked lots", while former All Whites captains Chris Zoricich and Steve Sumner had sent texts.

A multitude of letters had also arrived, including ones with clear x-rays and medical reports.

The 29-year-old midfielder returns to Wellington today and comes back to Auckland towards the end of the week to have his shoulder reassessed.

Surgeon Stu Walsh was extremely satisfied with his work to insert three screws in the shoulder, telling Brown he had "aced" the procedure.

The reality is, however, Brown has only an outside chance of taking his place in South Africa. The usual recovery time for an injury of this nature is three-six weeks, although it can be much longer.

The All Whites' first game is against Slovakia on June 15 and coach Ricki Herbert has said Brown needs to be ready for their second match against Italy on June 20.

Team Wellington's Cole Peverley has joined the squad for their altitude training camp in Austria and will slot into the 23 for the World Cup if Brown fails to be fit in time.