Brisbane: Even as Australia dropped fast bowler Brett Lee from the starting 11 for the first Ashes Test, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was in doubt for the injury-hit visiting team.

Flintoff, making a slow recovery from a double hernia operation last July, will be assessed by the team's medical staff after training before the final 11 is announced later, team coach Duncan Fletcher said.

Fletcher said Craig White would be in the team if Flintoff was not considered fit enough to see out the scheduled five days of the Test at the Gabba.

On body language alone, 24-year-old Flintoff during Wednesday's training looked underdone for what is expected to be a fierce contest with the world champions, who have held the Ashes since 1986.

"That is the one area we've been looking at and we want to see what Flintoff's condition is before we make a final decision," Fletcher told reporters at the Gabba.

"There was a bit concern about him at training today. It will be between Craig White and Flintoff for the final spot in the team."

Flintoff's ongoing fitness problems coupled with the continuing unavailability of strike bowler Darren Gough has given England a troubled lead in to the Ashes series.

England (probable): Nasser Hussain (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, John Crawley, Alec Stewart, Andrew Flintoff or Craig White, Ashley Giles, Simon Jones, Andy Caddick and Matthew Hoggard.

Umpires: Steve Bucknor (West Indies) and Rudi Koertzen (South Africa).

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Australians prefer Bichel to Lee for first Ashes Test
'We need to put Australia under tremendous pressure'