The England cricket team are becoming increasingly hopeful that Andrew Flintoff can recover from his knee injury problem to play in the second 2009 Ashes test at Lord’s this week.  The Lancashire all-rounder had a precautionary scan on his right knee after experiencing pain fielding in the first test at Cardiff.

He has consulted the surgeon who operated on his knee earlier this year and has been told that there is every chance he can recover in time to take his place in the side on Thursday.  England coach Andy Flower advised that Flintoff had an injection which was being left to settle down and as a consequence is training with bat but will not be allowed to bowl until Wednesday.  It is only then that the decision to include him in the side will be made.

England have brought Steve Harmison into the squad as cover, but there is also an outside chance that England might consider playing Ian Bell as an extra batsman should Flintoff fail the fitness test in order to strengthen their batting options.