Flintoff faces operation after final Test

Although it was dismissed as pure speculation on Monday, reports carried on Cricinfo that Andrew Flintoff had foot problems in addition to his side strain proved accurate with the admission that he faces surgery on a chronic ankle condition.

While Flintoff will almost certainly play in the final Test of the series at Centurion on Friday - he will have pain-killing injections and will not risk any further damage by doing so - he is likely to return home straight away, missing the one-day series.

The condition - posterior impingement - is caused by uneven bone growth in the heel which means that the impact when the foot bangs down in the delivery stride can be extremely painful. It is not uncommon in fast bowlers and can be treated by an operation to remove the bone spur. But that would mean a three-month recovery period, and with the Ashes next summer, England will want to get that sorted and Flintoff up and running as soon as possible. If that means him missing the one-dayers, then it will be a small price to pay.

It is the same condition that prevented him from bowling for a period last summer. That time injections and rest sorted it out, but that it has reoccurred is probably a sign that more drastic treatment is necessary.

Of England's other walking wounded, Steve Harmison's calf injury has not deteriorated and while the prescribed solution is a fortnight's rest, he will almost certainly be available at Centurion. But, like Flintoff, there have to be serious doubts over his participation in the one-dayers.

Ashley Giles, who sustained a thumb injury in the fourth Test, has been receiving treatment and should be fit, while Geraint and Simon Jones both have minor injuries that shouldn't affect their availability.