Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Fergie reveals Wes hope
SIR Alex Ferguson is crossing his fingers Wes Brown is finally over his injury nightmare. Brown's medical history at United does not make pretty reading. Cruciate ligament operations on both knees and a broken ankle for a start, plus a multitude of muscular problems that restricted him to an average of 20 Premier League starts a year until the season before last. That memorable campaign allowed Brown to reclaim his England place and oust skipper Gary Neville as first-choice right-back. Campaign However, any feeling that Brown's fitness curse had been cured was cruelly dashed last term when an autumn ankle operation was followed by a foot injury that kept him on the sidelines nearly all year. Although he returned to duty at Hull on the final day of the campaign, it was only Brown's 13th appearance in a very busy season for the Reds. In addition, having regained his England place under Fabio Capello, apparently as first-choice right-back, Brown has promptly lost it again, his absence offering Liverpool new boy Glen Johnson the chance to impress. Thankfully, Brown has managed to come through the early part of pre-season unscathed. He was the only United ace to complete the full 90 minutes against a Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur last night and, with Neville also feeling his way back after long-term problems, Fergie realises just how important it will be to have the 29-year-old available on a regular basis again. "If Wes stays fit, we are in business because he is a fantastic defender," said Fergie. "Even against the Malaysian team, on a couple of occasions he has showed real experience in handling one-versus-one situations. "That is what he is really good at. His timing and reading of situations is fantastic." Do you think Wes will be a first team regular this season? Have your say.
