Vaughan tells Flintoff there's no hurry

Michael Vaughan hopes Andrew Flintoff can make his Test return during the upcoming series against New Zealand, however he said it was vital that Flintoff not rush back too soon and risk aggravating his ongoing ankle problems. Flintoff has not played a Test since the 2006-07 Ashes loss in Australia and a fourth operation on his left ankle ruled him out of the recent tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

"He has got three or four four-day games for Lancashire, so hopefully he will come through those with overs under his belt, runs by his name and give himself a good chance because we want him back," Vaughan told AFP. "An England side with Freddie in is a better team.

"He wants to be there. He is the only one who knows what his ankle feels like. He hasn't bowled 18 to 20 overs in a day yet and had to go out and bowl five or six the next day yet, so hopefully he will get through that."

Flintoff himself was aiming to be ready for the first Test, which starts on May 15, however that will depend on his progress during Lancashire's initial games. His first big trial will be in a four-day match against Surrey beginning on Wednesday, and Vaughan said there was no point hurrying him into the national side before he was ready.

"We just want him right, whether that means he misses the first game, second game and comes back for the third," Vaughan said. "I just want him back fit and ready; whether it's first or third, that will do me. It is so important you listen to your body and know yourself."

Flintoff's fast-bowling colleagues Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard are also desperate for a successful start to the county season following their axing from the Test side during the tour of New Zealand. Vaughan said Hoggard would undoubtedly be working overtime to put his name back in the frame, while Harmison would be fired up and keen to prove a point.

"Harmy has been given a harder time and I wouldn't want to be a county batsman over the next month having to face him because I think he has got a bit of a bee in his bonnet and a point to prove," Vaughan said. "That is exactly what I want - I certainly don't think it is the end of their careers yet."

Regardless of how the attack looks, there could be adjustments to England's top order for the first Test with Vaughan himself keen to drop down the order. He had a poor series personally in New Zealand, scoring 123 runs at 20.50, and a direct swap with the No. 3 Andrew Strauss might be on the cards.

"I wouldn't say I would carry on opening for England, no," Vaughan said. "We will have to sit down with Peter Moores and the selectors. Straussy is at three at the minute - he likes opening and I am at two and like batting at three - so maybe that will be a little bit of a change."