DPRA
International Cricketer
Lancashire and England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is hopeful he will be back in action this summer.
Flintoff has been working hard on his fitness since undergoing a fourth round of surgery to cure his long-standing ankle injury.
The problem has dogged him since his brilliant performances in the 2005 Ashes series, with three operations failing to get to the root of the trouble.
While he will not be hurried into bowling again, the 30-year-old remains confident that when he does pick up the ball he will be able to bowl at 90mph once more and be a genuine threat for club and country.
"I'm not coming out with any big statements about when I'll be playing again but, fingers crossed, I'll be OK for the summer," Flintoff told The Sun.
"I'm just taking things steadily. It's not worked the last three or four times I've tried to get back so I won't rush it this time.
Confident
"The different surgeons have been confident after each operation but things haven't worked out. Now I have more time to get everything right.
"The good thing about my rehab this time is I don't feel I'm working to a deadline. But I must admit after all the training I've done I really want to get out and play some cricket."
Having turned down the opportunity to play as a specialist batsman for England Lions on their tour of India, Flintoff's next opportunity to play will be for Lancashire.
The Red Rose county have a junior tour of India coming up, but Flintoff is more likely to join their pre-season trip to Dubai in March.
"I've had a few batting sessions at Old Trafford against the bowling machine and I'm gradually building up that side of things.
"All these ops have been tough and very frustrating and I guess I could have bowled at 75mph and got through.
"But that's not me - I want to get up to 90mph again and be a proper all-rounder. That's why I had the operation."
Hmm..... could well be, i hope he is back for the Twenty20 @ OT because i want to see England woop Ne Zeland there, and i have tickets!
Flintoff has been working hard on his fitness since undergoing a fourth round of surgery to cure his long-standing ankle injury.
The problem has dogged him since his brilliant performances in the 2005 Ashes series, with three operations failing to get to the root of the trouble.
While he will not be hurried into bowling again, the 30-year-old remains confident that when he does pick up the ball he will be able to bowl at 90mph once more and be a genuine threat for club and country.
"I'm not coming out with any big statements about when I'll be playing again but, fingers crossed, I'll be OK for the summer," Flintoff told The Sun.
"I'm just taking things steadily. It's not worked the last three or four times I've tried to get back so I won't rush it this time.
Confident
"The different surgeons have been confident after each operation but things haven't worked out. Now I have more time to get everything right.
"The good thing about my rehab this time is I don't feel I'm working to a deadline. But I must admit after all the training I've done I really want to get out and play some cricket."
Having turned down the opportunity to play as a specialist batsman for England Lions on their tour of India, Flintoff's next opportunity to play will be for Lancashire.
The Red Rose county have a junior tour of India coming up, but Flintoff is more likely to join their pre-season trip to Dubai in March.
"I've had a few batting sessions at Old Trafford against the bowling machine and I'm gradually building up that side of things.
"All these ops have been tough and very frustrating and I guess I could have bowled at 75mph and got through.
"But that's not me - I want to get up to 90mph again and be a proper all-rounder. That's why I had the operation."
Hmm..... could well be, i hope he is back for the Twenty20 @ OT because i want to see England woop Ne Zeland there, and i have tickets!
