Soccer: Injured Brown has two weeks until final decision

Tim Brown had three screws inserted into his shoulder. Photo / Getty Images

All Whites midfielder Tim Brown's shoulder surgery has been described as a success but it will be a fortnight before he gets the final word on his remote World Cup prospects.

Brown appears lost to the All Whites' World Cup cause, a bitter blow for both team and player, although he is clinging to hope.

Common sense would give Brown no chance of recovering in time from such a severe injury.

A specialist has told the Herald that Brown, who suffered a fracture to the upper arm, could not possibly be fit enough by June 14, the deadline for naming replacements in the All Whites 23-man World Cup squad. Their opening Group F match is against Slovakia in Rustenburg on June 15.

Brown had three screws inserted into the bone to secure the fracture during a 1-hour operation in Auckland.

"Initial indications are positive that the surgery went well but it is too early yet to say what the recovery time frame for the injury is," a NZ Football statement said.

Team Wellington midfielder Cole Peverley has flown to Europe as a temporary replacement in the All Whites, who play Serbia on Sunday morning, and Slovenia the following Saturday.

Brown is due to leave hospital in Auckland tomorrow.