Brown is heading back to Auckland after scans this morning revealed he has a fractured shoulder. The midfielder fell heavily during the first half of the All Whites’ heart-breaking loss to Australia last night and did not return for the second half.
The 29-year-old went to hospital for scans on the injury and a New Zealand Football (NZF) spokesman today confirmed they had revealed a fracture.
The full extent of the injury is not yet known but the Wellington Phoenix player will miss the European leg of the All Whites’ World Cup build-up and could well be out for the cup itself.
Coach Ricki Herbert is waiting for further results before deciding whether Brown will be replaced for the trip to Europe.
The news is better for fellow midfielder Leo Bertos, who has been cleared to travel. There were concerns over his right leg after it was crunched twice in ugly challenges by English Premier League players Vince Grella and Tim Cahill.
Bertos suffered a gash to his lower leg but escaped serious injury.