Flintoff pleased with progress

Andrew Flintoff © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff has handed England a welcome boost by revealing he is hoping to return to action “sooner rather than later”.

The Lancashire all-rounder does not anticipate recovering from his ankle injury in time for the start of the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan, which begins on July 13.

However, he said: “I’m pleased with my progress, to be honest.

“The past two or three weeks I’ve worked hard, I’ve been doing five or six hours a day with the physio, and it seems to be working well.

“Everything I’ve done I’ve responded well to, so fingers crossed I’ll be back playing cricket sooner rather than later.

“When that exact date is, at this stage I’m not sure. We’ll investigate it a bit more at the end of this week, and hopefully I can get back on the pitch and do what I like doing best, playing cricket.”

As for next week’s first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, he admitted: “At this stage that’s a big ask.

“Towards the end of this week we’ll get it re-scanned and then at the start of next week I’ll see the specialist again, and then devise a plan for the coming weeks.”

Flintoff also sent his best wishes to sidelined England captain Michael Vaughan, who on Monday underwent a fourth operation on his troublesome right knee.

“It’s frustrating, I don’t like being injured and I don’t like not playing cricket, that’s what I do and that’s what I enjoy, and it’s the same for the other lads too,” said Flintoff.

“Michael Vaughan, Ashley Giles, Simon Jones, they are all the same, they want to get back playing cricket.

“It’s unfortunate that we’ve all got injured together and the injuries have taken a while to heal.

“We want Michael back, I’ve said that on numerous occasions and the rest of the side feel the same way.

“He is our captain, he is our leader. In his absence I’ve enjoyed captaining the side, but as soon as he comes back he’s England captain.”