Flintoff will be out of action until mid-October

Flintoff was told rest and strength work would help him overcome an ankle problem but will now have an operation.

"He was seen by two consultants who are the best in the field and they went down the route of deciding against an operation," Graveney told Five Live.

"Virtually every hurdle had been crossed and it was only when he played at Kent he began to feel the symptoms."

Interview: Chairman of selectors David Graveney

Maybe the Australians might allow some of our players to play in their domestic cricket David Graveney

Flintoff will undergo surgery this week, with an initial prognosis putting him out of action until mid-October.

Asked if he was confident Flintoff would play in the first Test of the Ashes rematch with Australia, in Brisbane on 23 November, Graveney said: "Yes - let's be upbeat. I am confident."

He explained: "As far as the time line is concerned, we still believe Freddie will be on that plane with the rest of the team.

"Once he has the operation we can make our plan from there. If the symptoms they think are causing the problem are correct the 12-week span is probably accurate."

Flintoff joins seamer Simon Jones and spinner Ashley Giles as players who could go on the Ashes tour without having played for several months.

Jones has endured a string of knee and ankle problems while Giles, who has had a second hip operation, has not played since last November.

"We're investigating areas we can play cricket. South Africa is one, Australia is another," Graveney added.