England await Flintoff scan

Andrew Flintoff will undergo a scan in Barbados on Friday to find out the extent of his hip injury. Flintoff, who is suspected to have a muscle tear, bowled through the pain on the final day of the third Test in Antigua, sending down 12 overs as West Indies squeezed out a draw. However, interim coach Andy Flower conceded the allrounder is struggling to be fit for the fourth Test at Kensington Oval, which starts on February 26.

With England pushing for a series-levelling win in Antigua, Flintoff put in the extra effort in a six-over spell after tea, even touching 90mph, which went against the medical advice to bowl within himself. Flower admitted he was worried that the allrounder had harmed his long-term prospects. "I was very concerned about him doing himself lasting damage but I don't think that is the case luckily," he said. "Before the day started there was a line that he and Strauss had to walk between using him when we needed him and not doing himself lasting damage.

"I think they did that but we will find out tomorrow when we get the scan results. It is quite likely he might be out of the next Test."

The importance of Flintoff's presence for England is reflected by the fact that the ECB are flying in two players, fast bowler Amjad Khan and batting allrounder Ravi Bopara, all the way from New Zealand - where they were touring with the England Lions squad - as cover.

What makes replacing Flintoff more difficult is the possible absence of wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who would be a candidate to bat at No. 6. Prior is due to fly home for the birth of his child straight after the third Test finishes on March 2, but he would leave the tour if his wife, Emily, goes into labour before the match.

"He [Prior] could bat six and we could play five specialist bowlers even if Flintoff wasn't playing and that is one of the options available," Flower said. "If the baby arrives early then he will leave but if he starts the Test, he will finish it.

"Part of the reason we have called up Amjad and Ravi is because if we decided to play six batsmen we wouldn't have anyone in reserve, so if someone bust a finger in the two-day game [the warm-up before the Test], we wouldn't be able to play our six batsmen," Flower explained. "On the other hand if he is out we would be one seamer down, so we have got Amjad Khan in."

Flower said there will still concerns over left-armer Ryan Sidebottom, who is struggling with a chronic Achilles problem, but it is clearly Flintoff who is topping the list of walking wounded. This is Flintoff's second injury setback on the tour after he suffered a slight side strain in the opening warm-up match against a St Kitts Invitational XI. He was withdrawn from that game as a precaution and didn't have any further cricket ahead of the first Test.

Flintoff's fitness issues - he returned to the Test side after an 18-month absence last year - could also put a doubt over his participation in the IPL. He has been signed for record US$1.55 million fee by the Chennai Super Kings. Flower said the team were monitoring the workload of the players, especially Flintoff.

"He's a vital ingredient of English cricket and we wouldn't want one of our best assets to be poorly used. He is a sensible bloke and we will need some sensible negotiation over the next few weeks."

The ECB are likely to ensure its contracted players pass fitness tests before competing in the IPL. "In the short term it might not be too serious, it might be a significant problem," Flower said. "England is his priority, so we will monitor it closer to the time and it is too early to say 'yay or nay' on that one.

"He's a mature adult and he will make any decision along with the ECB."