Andy Flower, England's coach, is optimistic that Andrew Flintoff will be fit to play in the second Test at Lord's, starting on Thursday, despite reporting soreness and swelling in his right knee after falling awkwardly in the field during last week's first Test in Cardiff.
Given his recent injury problems, which have forced Flintoff to miss 25 of England's 48 Test matches since the 2005 Ashes, the news of his latest injury setback had been greeted with concern, especially as the injured knee was the same one that required surgery back in April, after Flintoff tore his meniscus while playing for Chennai Superkings in the IPL.
Flower, however, sought to play down the extent of the latest injury, and told reporters at Lord's that Flintoff's surgeon, Dr Derek Bickerstaff, had suggested "he should be okay to play", having received a cortisone injection on Monday to assist with the recovery.
Squad
England v Australia at Lord's, Jul 16-20, 2009
July 13, 2009
Andrew Strauss
captain
James Anderson
Ian Bell
Ravi Bopara
Stuart Broad
Paul Collingwood
Alastair Cook
Andrew Flintoff
Steve Harmison
Graham Onions
Monty Panesar
Kevin Pietersen
Matt Prior
Graeme Swann
