New Zealand vice-captain Tim Brown is determined to prove his fitness in time for the World Cup.
Vice-captain hoping to recover in time for group fixtures
New Zealand vice-captain Tim Brown is determined to overcome a shoulder injury which is threatening his participation in the World Cup.
Brown met with team doctor Celeste Geertsema when the squad touched down in South Africa to discuss his injury progress.
The 29-year-old is expected to be put on a plan to continue his rehabilitation as he bids to prove his fitness in time for this summer's tournament.
New Zealand have until 24 hours before their opening Group F game against Slovakia on 15th June to decide if he is fit enough to stay and figure in the 23-man squad.
Quick recovery
All things considered, Brown has done fantastically well to be still in with a chance of playing in the tournament so soon after surgery on his injury picked up against Australia just 18 days ago.
He said: "I wouldn't want to say it's a medical miracle but it's healing pretty quickly.
"I'm certainly not healed. They thought it would be a six-week turnaround and we are two-and-a-half weeks into it.
"But by all accounts it's going well.
"It feels great," he said. "I hope I can hit the ground running. I have come over here to play. Obviously it's one achievement to make it to this point.
"In my mind I can get into training pretty soon. As for this game on Tuesday, we will have to see."
Cole Peverley is on standby to replace Brown in midfield should his injury see him out of the tournament.
