Flintoff has not played a Test match since early last year

Andrew Flintoff is targeting England's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on 15 May for his international comeback after ankle surgery.

Flintoff bowled four overs in Lancashire's final game of their pre-season tour and hit a half-century.

"I know that if I want to play for England, then I have got to be fit," said the 30-year-old.

"I would love to play a Test match at Lord's, but one thing I am not going to do is get carried away."

The all-rounder, who underwent a fourth operation on his left ankle last October, has not played a Test match since the Ashes whitewash in Australia last January.

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He continued his recovery in Lancashire's 41-run defeat by Yorkshire in the Pro Arabian Cricket Challenge Trophy and took his tally of overs to nine in two games after previously bowling five overs against Sussex in Abu Dhabi.

Flintoff said: "I have got to focus all my energies on playing for Lancashire. If I can stay fit and perform, then I would hopefully be in the shake up.

"The ankle is fine. I am happy with the way things are - how the ankle is standing up to the rigours of bowling.

"Everybody tells me I am at 70%. I am certainly not hitting the crease as hard as I would like, but it feels good and easy.

"I was always confident that once I was fit that my bowling would be fine. It is still early days, and I am not going to get carried away.

"At this moment I am happy with it. I just hope it continues in that way."