Brown looks set for long spell out

27 October 2009 15:13
Brown sat out Celtic's victory at Hamilton on Sunday and will miss Wednesday night's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final against Hearts.[LNB]Celtic assistant manager Mark Venus also expects Brown to miss the SPL clash against Kilmarnock on Saturday.[LNB]And Vens admits he would prefer Brown to rest further if it means a returns to the form that persuaded Celtic to pay Hibernian £4.4million for his services two years ago.[LNB]The 24-year-old underwent surgery on his ankle in the close season and missed the first few games of Tony Mowbray's reign.[LNB]But he has struggled to shake off the pain in his ankle and visited a specialist in London earlier this month before pulling out of Scotland's friendly in Japan.[LNB]Venus said: "I haven't seen him for a couple of days. I do know his ankle is very sore.[LNB]"I would suggest he isn't fit for selection this weekend either. After that, I'm not sure."[LNB]Celtic face Hamburg in the Europa League on Bonfire Night and visit Falkirk in the SPL three days later.[LNB]But with a two-week interval before Celtic face Dundee United, Mowbray may be tempted to rest Brown until the trip to Tannadice.[LNB]And Venus clearly hopes Scotland boss George Burley leaves him out of his squad for the friendly against Wales on November 14.[LNB]Venus said: "He's got an international week coming soon so he will get another break, hopefully.[LNB]"Listen, I think he's got a problem and he needs a rest. It's well-documented.[LNB]"For Scotland, for Celtic, for everyone, for the kid, for his performances, I think he has got to get himself fit properly.[LNB]"Hopefully, he will take as long as it takes to come out on the pitch next time as the proper Scott Brown."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk