Harlequins
Mike Brown unlikely to play again this season following Six Nations head injury
ESPN Staff
April 21, 2015
Mike Brown in training
Mike Brown in training© David Rogers/Getty Images

Harlequins and England full-back Mike Brown could struggle to play again this season because he is still recovering from a head injury sustained during the Six Nations.

Brown has not appeared for Harlequins since returning from England duty last month and will play no part in Saturday's Aviva Premiership clash with Sale.

The 29-year-old was knocked out during England's Six Nations victory over Italy in February and was forced to sit out of the defeat by Ireland in Dublin a fortnight later.

However, he was able to return to action for the final two matches of England's campaign, which saw them finish runners-up to eventual champions Ireland.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea admitted Brown would miss his side's next two fixtures, but said he had an outside chance of being fit to face Newcastle on the last day of the season.

"I would be lying if I said that mightn't be the case," O'Shea said when asked if Brown might not appear again this season. "We've only got three games, or five if we get into the play-offs for Europe.

"If I was a betting man I wouldn't expect to see him back for the match against Bath either in a few weeks' time. Maybe Newcastle [on May 16] but we'll see what is best for the player.

"If you are selfish with an England hat on the best thing for him may be to have a break. He's a competitor and just wants to play, but I think we have done right by the player.

"He will be in training once he gets over the symptoms, but he is not symptom-free. Once he is symptom-free he will start a slightly extended return-to-play [process]. The corner could be turned any day, but it's 'how long is a piece of string?'"

Brown is likely to play a key part in Stuart Lancaster's England squad as they look to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil later this year and, while he admitted Brown had some way to go to returning to the game, O'Shea insisted his player is set to be fit for the World Cup.

"It's nothing long-term or untoward, but everyone saw the knock he took against Italy and he obviously played two more high-intensity matches after taking a mandatory break. He just hasn't been right."

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