Flintoff is likely to play the early season solely as a batsman

But he still expects to have a good early season stint with his county before preparing for the one-day series that precedes the Ashes.

"I managed to play in a practice game last week and I came through that fine", Flintoff told BBC GMR.

"I'm just pushing it each day and seeing what reaction I get."

Warwickshire were scheduled to begin the county season at a rain-hit Lord's on Friday and six other county sides play three-day games against university opposition over the weekend.

But Lancashire wait until Wednesday to open the season at home to Somerset in the Championship.

Flintoff could see his first action in one of two Totesport League games before the next Championship clash at Worcester.

England duties kept the big-hitting batsman away from Old Trafford for much of last year, to Lancashire's dismay.

But this time he has been told to miss the early-season Tests against Bangladesh, playing county cricket solely as a batsman until his ankle improves.