Simon Jones is eager to reclaim his England place after injury

Glamorgan's Jones, who says he is eager to reclaim his England place, says no one should question Flintoff's desire.

"He's looked a bit out of form but it happens, you can't be good all the time can you?" Jones told BBC Wales Sport.

"Fred (Flintoff) is such a key player that if he's not playing well then the whole team suffers."

England needed to beat South Africa in Tuesday's Super 8 match in Barbados to stay in the hunt for a semi-final place.

But instead Michael Vaughan's side slumped to a hurtful nine-wicket defeat as the Proteas easily swept past England's measly 154 all out.

"I don't know what to make of it because I wasn't there, but England do need Fred firing on all cylinders if they're going to succeed," added Jones.

I don't feel I have to prove my cricketing ability, I feel I just need to prove my fitness Simon Jones

"He had a super 2005 (Ashes) series, he was probably the world's best all-rounder then but you do get a dip in form sometimes.

"I'm sure he'll be working as hard as he can in the nets, working on his fitness and he'll be back, don't worry about it."

Jones has not played for England since the fourth Ashes Test in August 2005 because of injury.

The 28-year-old began his latest comeback last week in a friendly match against Sussex at Hove.

Glamorgan chose to rest Jones for Wednesday's first-class match against Oxford UCCE at The Parks, but he will return to competitive action on Sunday in the Friends Provident Trophy match at Somerset.

Jones is determined to force his way back into the England side, hopefully for the npower Test series against the West Indies which begins next month.

"We'll have to wait and see, and I'll have to take some wickets first," Jones said.

"I don't feel I have to prove my cricketing ability, I feel I just need to prove my fitness and if I can last the full five days.

"It's something I haven't done for a while, so it's going to take a little bit of time to get my rhythm.

"I'm looking forward to it, this is why I've worked so hard over the last 12 months just to get back playing and I can't wait now."