 Flintoff could play again for England as early as August |
England coach Peter Moores expects to have Andrew Flintoff back at 100% fitness before the end of the summer. Moores told Five Live's Sportsweek that doctors were "very confident" the star all-rounder's problem ankle would be "fully functional" before too long.
"Provided the rehab goes well, we'll see a fit Andrew Flintoff out there who does what he does best," said Moores.
"I'm very excited about getting Andrew back in that team bowling at 90mph and putting the ball out of the ground."
Flintoff underwent his third ankle operation on 1 June and played no part in the Test series against West Indies.
It is thought his chest-on bowling style, initially developed to prevent back problems, has contributed to ankle problems.
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But Moores was more optimistic.
"At the moment things have gone very well with his ankle," he said. "When they looked at it they found the damage that was there and managed to fix it."
Australia fast bowler Brett Lee, who is recovering from an ankle operation which put him out of the World Cup earlier this year, expects Flintoff to return better than ever.
"I am sure he has been working really hard on his fitness and it is going to be scary seeing him bowling rockets again at us [in 2009]," Lee commented.
"Andrew Flintoff brings that x-factor to the team - his mannerisms out there, that never say die attitude.
"He is a great character, he gets people to go and watch cricket. Having Andrew there as part of the leadership group, and holding his own with bat and ball - it's so crucial."
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