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Wes Brown 'out until 2009'

21/11/2008

Wes Brown is a major doubt for Manchester United's Christmas fixtures after undergoing ankle surgery.

The England defender is likely to be out for five weeks following the exploratory procedure on the ongoing complaint.

"Wes will be missing for a few weeks," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.

"There's no timescale on it, but may be about four to five weeks.

"It's disappointing, but we've got cover with Gary [Neville] and Rafael, and John O'Shea can also play there."

Brown, 29, joins an injury list at Old Trafford that includes striker Dimitar Berbatov (hamstring strain) and Rio Ferdinand (back injury).

Virus victim Wayne Rooney is expected to be back to for tomorrow's visit to Aston Villa while long-term absentees Darren Fletcher, Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes remain on the treatment table.