Flintoff return put on hold

Andrew Flintoff may feature as a specialist batsman in Lancashire second XI's three-day match against Yorkshire starting tomorrow

Andrew Flintoff’s latest comeback from injury has been delayed - but he could return to action tomorrow.

The all-rounder, who has not played since England completed their npower Ashes triumph over Australia last August, was hoping to feature for Lancashire second XI in a one-day match against Yorkshire at Crosby today.

However, he has been forced to wait to make his return on the advice of the Lancashire medical team, who nevertheless claim he may be fit enough to play in the three-day Second XI Championship game starting tomorrow.

“Nothing's happened,” Lancashire coach Peter Moores told the Guardian. “It's just a case of them being happy with the level of conditioning around the knee and his general body so that when he does play he's at minimum risk of getting injured again.

“It's been a long rehab so far, and what they're making sure is that it's not rushed. It's got to be right. What we don't want to do is once he's started, we have to stop him.

“They think he's not quite ready for Monday. One-dayers and three-dayers are slightly different; it's slightly more violent running round in a one-dayer. They'll assess where he is for the rest of the week.”

Flintoff underwent major knee surgery to his right knee in the immediate aftermath of England’s Ashes success, and had a further operation around the turn of the year.

He is expected to play as a specialist batsman if passed fit to line up for the second XI.