http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/wes-brown-injury-setback-1-6067649 WES Brown has gone straight back on the treatment table, despite earning a place on the bench against Arsenal. Brown made his first appearance in a matchday squad for 18 months last Saturday after he was an unused substitute against the Gunners. Sunderland head coach Paolo Di Canio wanted to give the 33-year-old an extra motivational boost on the comeback trail by including him among the substitutes after the former England international had returned to full training unscathed. But even then, Brown was still struggling with a minor calf problem and he didnât feel confident entering the fray in the second half when Valentin Roberge was considering coming off through injury. That has seen Brown sidelined again this week, with the centre-half unavailable for tomorrowâs crunch basement clash at West Brom. Di Canio told the Gazette: âI wanted to send him on the field, but he wasnât ready. âI brought him with me on the bench to let him smell the atmosphere again. âIt was important for him and for us. But he had a little problem in his calf muscle. âAt the end of the game, we didnât need a defender. âBut when we were at 1-1, Roberge started to feel his knee because he had an inflammation problem. âI asked Wes how he felt, but to be honest, he wasnât completely confident. I said to Roberge, he had to carry on. âBut there are many chances like that during the game when you feel like you might have to change things. âWes would have had experience and we could defend and then counter, but it wasnât possible. âNow weâve given him a few more days rest to be sure he can get over this problem.â Brown hasnât featured competitively for Sunderland since sustaining a knee injury in January 2012. The ex-Manchester United man made an encouraging return during pre-season and featured in both encounters in the Barclays Asia Trophy, in Hong Kong. But he then missed the final friendly outing in Denmark with a knee problem which affected him during the opening weeks of the season. From physioroom.com W Brown Calf/Shin Injury no return date
