 Talisman Flintoff was unfit during the 2002-03 Ashes series |
England's Ashes captain Andrew Flintoff says he should be fit to resume playing a month before the first Test against Australia in Brisbane from 23 November. The England all-rounder, 28, underwent ankle surgery last week and has begun a rehabilitation programme supervised by fitness trainer Dave Roberts.
Flintoff told The Sun: "I'll hopefully be fit to play again 12 weeks after the operation, mid or late October.
"That should be plenty of time to be ready for the first Test."
Flintoff, currently on the sidelines while Andrew Strauss leads England against Pakistan, described the Brisbane Test as his "big target".
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Chairman of selectors David Graveney had hinted that the England and Wales Cricket Board may look to help Flintoff gain match-fitness by playing grade cricket Down Under.
Clubs across the country are desperate to secure the services of Flintoff, but the Lancashire star said he had not yet fully considered that part of his recovery.
He added: "There's been a lot of talk that I might play some grade cricket in Australia or get a game somewhere else to help regain match fitness.
"But I'm not looking that far ahead. At the moment, I'm sitting on my couch wearing a big boot and holding a pair of crutches."
Flintoff missed the whole of the 2002-03 Ashes series because of injury, but was man of the series in the 2005 rubber.
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