Flintoff missed the 3-0 Test series victory over the West Indies

Flintoff has 22 wickets in nine Tests against India and, as captain, took 3-14 as England won the final Test in Mumbai to level the series in 2005-6.

"Fast-bowling all-rounders are like gold and England have a problem replacing him," Dravid said.

"His absence makes things far more equal this time."

Flintoff is not expected to play any part in the three Tests, which begin at Lord's on 19 July and culminate at The Oval on 9 August, having undergone further surgery on his troublesome ankle.

"When England came to India last time he was brilliant," Dravid enthused. "He led really well and he was outstanding with bat and ball."

Things have not gone so well for Flintoff since that tour, however, losing the Ashes 5-0 as captain and then being stripped of the vice-captaincy at the World Cup after some well documented late night exertions.

I'll probably go with four bowlers in these conditions Rahul Dravid

The charismatic 29-year-old is currently working hard to recuperate with long-term physio and mentor Dave Roberts and may feature in the seven-match one-day series beginning at The Rose Bowl on 21 August.

Dravid, meanwhile, believes England have been strengthened by the selection of Sussex wicket-keeper/batsman Matt Prior, who has scored a century and two fifties in his first six Test innings.

"Prior lends a lot of balance, but we've got to play the whole team. England are ranked second behind Australia so obviously they have a good set-up and I followed their series against West Indies closely."

Dravid, one of four India batsmen to pass fifty in the tour match against Sussex at Hove, is pleased with his team's preparation ahead of the match against England A at Chelmsford on 13 July and the forthcoming Test series.

"I know my best top six for the first Test and for the next game it will be clear," he said. "I'll probably go with four bowlers in these conditions and it's a tidy balance to find an all-rounder. It's a question to find that balance."