Wellington, June 4 NZPA - Injured All White Tim Brown remains hopeful of featuring in New Zealand's soccer World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Brown is recuperating from an operation to repair a fractured shoulder, suffered against Australia in Melbourne on May 24.

It forced him to miss the All White's two warmup matches in Europe, but he remains upbeat about his chances of rejoining the team ahead of their opening World Cup match on July 16 (NZT) against Slovakia at Rustenburg.

"I'm really happy with the way things have been going. I hope to fit four weeks of rehabilitation into a week and things are going as well as can be expected at this stage, but there is still a way to go," the New Zealand vice-captain and midfielder said today.

"Hopefully I can continue to progress at the rate I have been over the last seven days."

Brown is now out of his sling and is undertaking daily physiotherapy along with fitness training, including cycling on a stationary bicycle, and walking.

He is due to start running tomorrow and is focusing on achieving daily improvements.

All Whites team doctor Celeste Geertsema is pleased how Brown has responded to treatment and the way his rehabilitation is progressing.

"Tim was reviewed by the surgeon yesterday and his progress has been excellent.

"He has already embarked on a rehabilitation programme and this will be progressed over the next week. We are all very pleased with the speed with which he is recovering and we remain optimistic that he will be able to join the team in South Africa."

A decision on Brown's availability for the World Cup is due to be made on Wednesday.