Kelly Brown stays strong after rare bad break

Brown dislocated the fibula head just below his left knee playing in the Heineken Cup win at Treviso on January 22 and while it ruled him out of contention to captain Scotland in the Six Nations, it was predicted he would be able to finish the season for the Premiership champions.

However, further scans revealed the true extent of the damage and Brown underwent surgery last Thursday to insert screws at both ends of the fibula to aid the recovery of ligaments damaged when the bone came out of its socket.

Now, Brown is facing eight weeks on crutches before the leg can take any weight but his response to this major setback is to allow himself just one week's holiday with his family and then head into the gym to ensure he is "fitter and stronger than ever" for what looks increasingly like a return at the start of next season.

The 49-cap international is a major loss to both club and country and he knows that despite facing months of rehabilitation, the injury could have been even more serious.

"The fibula head dislocated and that is very rare," said Brown. "The specialist told me he had hardly ever come across this kind of injury. I was told that when somebody suffers this kind of dislocation it usually results in a broken leg or the knee is totally knackered.

"I know it could have been much worse. I have been told the surgery has been a success and now it's a case of eight weeks without any weight on the leg but I am going to be in the gym once I have spent a week away on holiday with my family next week.

"I remember looking at the leg after I was hurt on the pitch and seeing the fibula pop back in. I immediately thought: 'That's not great.' For the next few days I'm going to have to keep wearing a protective boot."

As next season finishes with the Lions tour to Australia, Brown recognises there are major targets to aim for and having played almost constantly since signing his first professional contract in 2004, he views his rehabilitation, followed by an extensive fitness programme as a chance to head into the new campaign in great shape.

He said: "I am determined to come back stronger and next season is a big one and if I don't make it by the tail end of this one, I will be raring to go for the start of next season."

Brown is understandably frustrated from watching Scotland lose their opening two Six Nations games, including a narrow defeat to England who now feature six of his Sarries team-mates in their squad in Dave Strettle, Charlie Hodgson, Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt, Mouritz Botha and Matt Stevens.

He is impressed with the way his club-mates have dealt with the demands of the championship and said: "Having played alongside these guys, I know how good they are and all they needed was the chance to play at Test level. England have faced a couple of tough away matches and recorded two wins and while they weren't the flashiest of performances, it's all about winning and they are on a roll.

"I was in Cardiff on Sunday watching Scotland against Wales who are England's next opponents. The Welsh are a very good side with some incredible athletes who all seem to be around 6ft 4ins and 16 stones. The Welsh players are full of confidence but England will have home advantage."

England have added prop Paul Doran Jones to their squad for that game on February 25 after David Wilson broke his jaw.

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