Jordan Brown is out for around a month after sustaining an ankle injury against Dagenham & Redbridge.
The 19-year-old full-back had been hoping that 2011/12 would be his breakthrough season, having been included in Sam Allardyce's first team squad pre-season programme.With Wayne Bridge returning to Manchester City at the end of his loan spell back in May, the left back slot was up for grabs with Herita Ilunga - himself with much to prove - Brown's only challenger.
However the Benfleet-born former Academy trainee has had to put his plans on ice after being told that he will be out of action until the end of August.
Brown, who sustained the injury after an hour of West Ham's 1-0 win at Victoria Road last Tuesday night was left on crutches as a result and will now miss the beginning of West Ham's 2011/12 campaign.
Sam Allardyce - who is currently looking to strengthen the left-back slot - has since signed Matt Taylor who can also operate on the left side of defence.
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