Brown has not played since a 1-0 home win over Everton in January

Manchester United defender is likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering a recurrence of his foot injury in training.

The damage is not thought to be serious but with four games left this season United manager Alex Ferguson has decided to be cautious with the player.

"Wes had a little setback during the week," confirmed the United boss.

"It is not major but the fact the season is coming to an end makes it difficult for him."

Brown has managed just two appearances in total since last October but returned to training in April and had hoped to play some part in the run-in.

606: DEBATE Bad news for us, was hoping he would return for the final few weeks, hope we don't get any more players getting ruled out zippymk13

United have options at right-back in the shape of John O'Shea, Gary Neville and Rafael da Silva as they prepare for a tough finale to the season.

They face Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday in the first of four remaining Premier League matches that will decide if they claim a third successive title.

They then face Barcelona on 27 May in the Champions League final.

Brown has endured a long list of injury problems since making his United debut in the 1998-1999 Treble-winning season, including missing the whole of the following campaign with a cruciate knee injury.

He also broke his ankle playing for United in a Champions League match in 2002.

Despite this, he has impressed enough to sign a new contract in 2008 which keeps him at the club until 2012.

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