England's Andrew Flintoff says he has no regrets about playing in the Indian Premier League in April, despite a knee injury forcing a return for surgery.
He had to miss the two-Test series against West Indies and is out of the ICC World Twenty20, but says he is now "on track" to be fit for the Ashes.
"I went quite honestly to progress my game," the 31-year-old told BBC Sport.
"The timing wasn't ideal but it was better to have it then than the third Test against Australia."
The England all-rounder has been plagued by injury problems over the past three years since helping his country clinch an historic Ashes win on home soil in 2005.
He returned home from the West Indies tour earlier this year for treatment on a hip injury and recovered in time for the end of the one-day series, taking a hat-trick in the deciding match in St Lucia to help England to victory.
But after opting to play with IPL side Chennai Super Kings in South Africa in April, Flintoff's injury curse struck again and he had to undergo surgery with a meniscus tear in his right knee.
"It was unfortunate," he added. "I've got this degenerate problem, but if I had been playing for Lancashire the same week the same thing would have happened.
"The idea was to play six games, improve and see how the other guys go about their business. I wanted to pick the brains of team-mates and opponents and get better."
Flintoff admitted to being "desperately frustrated" at missing the World Twenty20 campaign - England begin against the Netherlands on Friday - and although saying his side were far from favourites, he did think they still "might surprise a few".
Having played 75 Tests and 141 one-day internationals since making his England debut in 1998, he continues his rehabilitation, aiming to play for Lancashire before facing the Australians in the opening Ashes Test in Cardiff on 8 July.
Under the guidance of Lancashire physio Dave Roberts, Flintoff said his recovery was "on track".
Flintoff celebrates happier and healthier times in 2005 in the Ashes
"There have been a lot of injuries and the one thing that keeps you going is wearing an England shirt and going up against Australia," he said.
"The incentive to do well in that series as a team and individually is massive.
"I just want to get back on the cricket field, take some wickets, score runs and be in a position to take control in Cardiff."
After impressing in the stunning 2005 Ashes victory, Flintoff was on the wrong end of a 5-0 whitewash in Australia in 2007.
"I had the chance twice before and now I've got another chance to play against them," he said.
"Whatever has happened in the last two to three years with my fitness, if I can perform in this series and the team can do well, it will be the most satisfying of my career."
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