Flintoff and his wife attended a fashion show in London on Monday

Flintoff will miss next week's first Test against Pakistan but has been told he will replace Andrew Strauss as skipper when he is fit again.

Flintoff has not played since the final game of the recent series against Sri Lanka because of ankle trouble.

"I've been doing five hours a day with the physio," he said. "Fingers crossed I'll be back sooner rather than later."

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Flintoff added: "When that exact date is 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."

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Flintoff's optimism is good news for England after a series of injuries to both senior and fringe players.

Skipper Michael Vaughan underwent knee surgery on Monday and Simon Jones (knee) and Ashley Giles (hip) are also rehabilitating following recent operations.

"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," Flintoff told Sky Sports.

"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."