Flintoff Facing Lay-off Until Next Summer

Andrew Flintoff has undergone a fourth operation in almost three years on his left ankle and is likely to be out of action for the next seven months. The 29-year-old underwent surgery in Holland yesterday and, as expected, the England and Wales Cricket Board have confirmed he will miss the Test tour of Sri Lanka which starts next month.

An ECB statement also suggests that Flintoff is unlikely to be fit in time for the tour of New Zealand in February and March, leaving his future as an international all-rounder in doubt.

The statement confirmed Flintoff underwent keyhole surgery yesterday and added: "He will now undergo a period of rest and convalescence, followed by a rehabilitation program. It is anticipated that Andrew will be able to resume full training in the new year - and following discussions between the ECB medical team, the England selectors and Andrew, it has been decided that the priority will be for him to regain full fitness ahead of England's domestic international program in 2008.

"Andrew 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."

Since having his first operation in early 2005, Flintoff has struggled for an injury-free run in either the Test or one-day side and has missed 11 out of the last 16 Tests, including the whole of last summer and the series against West Indies and India. He has been an even bigger absentee in the one-day format and has been sidelined through injury for 21 of the last 48 one-day internationals, including today's final match of the series against Sri Lanka.

"The decision to carry out further surgery in Holland was taken following extensive consultation with leading international including those from the UK, Australia and the United States," the ECB added. "The operation involved the removal of extra bone, including fragments, from the front and back of the ankle which were causing bony impingement and compression of a tendon in the back of the ankle.

"The nature of these bone changes was such that there were additional difficulties in the normal functioning and stability of the ankle. The operation was carried out by one of the world's leading authorities on arthroscopic ankle surgery."