London: All-rounder Andrew Flintoff was declared available for selection for England's third Test squad against India, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday.

Flintoff saw a consultant surgeon in Manchester on Thursday and was advised that he is likely to need a hernia operation in the near future to alleviate the groin injury, which has troubled him since the One-day triangular series.

However, the timing of the operation, which involves a four week recovery period, will depend on whether Lancashire star Flintoff is passed fit to play in the third Test which starts at Headingley on Thursday. His injury will be re-assessed at Yorkshire's headquarters next week during England's two practice days prior to the match.

Flintoff, who could yet miss September's Champions Trophy One-day tournament in Sri Lanka in a bid to keep him fit for England's tour of Australia and next year's World Cup in South Africa, said, "I will see how I go in the practice next week before the game.

"I hope I will be able to get through the Test match. Then I will have to sit down with the England management team and decide on what happens after that," he told reporters.

"If I do (have a hernia operation), it's not a major thing. It's something a lot of footballers and rugby players have. The recovery period is four weeks and it's a question of if and when the best time to have it is," the 24-year-old added.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Flintoff to see surgeon as England faces injury crisis