Flintoff facing seven months out after surgery
Flintoff is set for another spell on the sidelines
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Saturday, 13, Oct 2007 11:24
Andrew Flintoff is set to be sidelined for a further seven months after undergoing keyhole surgery on his injured ankle in Holland yesterday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that the all-rounder had the procedure done following consultations with specialists from the UK, Australia and the United States.
A statement from the ECB said: "The surgery was performed successfully and, at this stage, the surgeon is optimistic that he has addressed the underlying root of the problem."
It is hoped that Flintoff will be available for selection at the start of the international season in England next summer but his participation in the winter tour schedule has been ruled out.
"Flintoff will not be made available for this winter's Test series in Sri Lanka and at this stage it is considered unlikely that he will participate in the tour of New Zealand," said the ECB.
It is the fourth time the Lancastrian has had surgery on the same ankle and some experts believe he will have to change his bowling action if he is to avoid any further problems in the future.
Flintoff spent most of 2007 doing rehabilitation work following his previous ankle operation but found the joint was still not stable.
He bowled short spells during the World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa but was not deemed fit enough to play in longer formats of the game.
He will begin rehabilitation from yesterday's surgery in the new year in an effort to play in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on May15th.