AFTER finally earning the chance to prove himself on the Premiership stage, Sunderland striker Chris Brown has been told he could be out for up to six weeks, writes Paul Fraser

The young forward damaged ankle ligaments after falling awkwardly in the first half of Saturday's defeat at Tottenham.

Brown, making his second start of the season after returning from a loan spell at Hull City, is now trying to keep his spirits up.

His unavailability for the hectic festive period is also a blow to manager Mick McCarthy, who is hoping that Stephen Elliott can recover from a back injury in time to make the trip to Charlton on Saturday.

Brown feared the worst as soon as he was replaced after 33 minutes.

"We don't know how bad it is at the moment, we're not sure of the extent of it, but I have been told that it could be up to six weeks," said Brown. "It happened when I jumped for a high ball, I think with Ledley

King, and I landed awkwardly. He didn't touch me, which makes it even more annoying.

"When I landed, I heard it crack. I knew straightaway that I had done something. I tried to carry on but every time I turned it was

uncomfortable.

"It's so disappointing because I was really enjoying the game. I felt I had started well and I was getting into it. But these things happen. I won't have a scan until the swelling goes down, as it wouldn't show the extent of the damage.

"I just have to wait for a few days, have my treatment and put my feet up with the icepack on."

Brown was keen to make the most of the opportunity after being farmed out on loan to Hull after sitting on the bench for the Black Cats' 1-0 defeat at Liverpool in the second game of the season.

But Brown - whose total of seven goals in the Championship last season was only bettered at the club by Elliott, Marcus Stewart and Julio Arca - was then drafted back into the Sunderland set-up by McCarthy.

Now he has become the latest in a long injury list that also includes George McCartney and Julio Arca, much to his disappointment.

"It's hard for us because there are a few lads struggling with injuries," said Brown. "It's hard enough at this level anyway, so to have injuries as well just adds to the difficulty.

"But for me personally, what makes it particularly hard to take is that this was a great chance for me in the Premier League.

"I have always wanted to play here and I was determined to take my chance."

Read more about Sunderland here.