Brown facing six weeks out

Brown: Injury blow

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Manchester United have suffered a blow with the news that versatile defender Wes Brown is out of action for the next four to six weeks.

Brown limped out of the action at Molineux on Saturday with a foot injury picked up against Wolves, and scans have revealed he suffered a broken bone.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Brown was facing an extended spell on the sidelines on Tuesday afternoon.

Ferguson told Sky Sports News: "Unfortunately he's had a career that's been blighted with injury, and all long-term injuries unfortunately for the lad.

"He's got another one and he'll be out for four to six weeks. I hope that we can get him back for some of the season, but that's the situation for him."

Protective boot

The 30-year-old picked up the injury in a challenge with Wolves midfielder Matt Jarvis and left Molineux with a protective boot on the damaged foot.

The four-to-six-week timescale is at least good news for England, with Brown widely expected to be part of Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup after playing at right-back against Egypt last week.

But it means the defender will miss United's UEFA Champions League last-16 return leg against AC Milan on Wednesday, and will also be absent from Premier League games against Fulham, Liverpool, Bolton and a potential title-decider against Chelsea on 3rd April.

Brown, who broke a metatarsal bone just over a year ago, would then face a race against time to face Blackburn on 11th April and derby rivals Manchester City a week later.

His absence further adds to Ferguson's woes ahead of Wednesday night's crucial European encounter, which will see United defending a 3-2 advantage from the first leg at the San Siro.

Anderson (knee), Ryan Giggs (arm) and John O'Shea (leg) are also out, although in-form Wayne Rooney will be available after a knee problem.