Lancashire hope for Freddie return

Lancashire are hopeful England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be able to step up his recovery from injury against Sussex this week.

Flintoff has not featured in the first two Tests against West Indies due to further problems with his troublesome ankle, but he has been working on his fitness with his county and the club will assess his situation on Monday evening before naming their squad for game against Sussex starting on Wednesday.

Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson said: "He has been doing net practice, including strength work back at Old Trafford and we need to check up with them. If all is favourable we will name him in our squad of 14 and he will travel down with us on Tuesday."

Flintoff played as a specialist batsman for Lancashire last week but England will not risk recalling him until he is fully fit to bowl.

He has had two operations on the same left ankle in the past three years and missed the second half of last summer.

Further surgery has so far not been deemed necessary and England are hopeful he will soon be fit to rejoin the Test side.

Coach Peter Moores told Sky Sports News: "We are hoping he is going to play in a county game.

"We would like him to bowl but we are guided by the medical team.

"We hope he can play with it or see whether it needs some intervention.

"He probably needs to bowl on it and see what pain he gets. Fred is very keen to get some direction on it and if he comes through and is fit that's fantastic for us."