Midfielder Tim Brown has made a remarkable recovery from shoulder surgery and will fly out on Thursday for South Africa to rejoin the All Whites at the World Cup.

Brown's return to New Zealand's 23-man squad came after discussions between Auckland surgeon Stu Walsh and team doctor Celeste Geertsema.

"We're thankful for the surgeon and the medical staff that looked after him for doing a tremendous job," coach Ricki Herbert said.

"He has apparently come through everything so well."

Vice-captain Brown was an integral part of the All Whites' qualification campaign, but injured his shoulder when falling heavily in the All Whites' 2-1 defeat to Australia in a friendly in Melbourne on May 24.

The Wellington Phoenix midfielder returned to Auckland while the rest of the squad travelled on to Europe for further pre-World Cup fixtures.

At the time, he rated his chances of making the World Cup at 50-50.

He underwent surgery to repair a fracture, having three screws inserted in the bone.

A team spokesman said Brown had made "a remarkable recovery" in the fortnight since the operation.

He said Wellington midfielder Cole Peverley, who was called up as replacement cover for Brown, would stay on in South Africa.

The All Whites' first match is against Slovakia, which kicks off on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, skipper Ryan Nelsen will sit out New Zealand's final friendly against Chile in Nelspruit because of an ear infection.

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