Flintoff Needs Hernia Op

The Lancashire all-rounder has been suffering from a groin strain for the last nine weeks, struggling through the opening two Tests at Lord's and Trent Bridge.

He was sent to a specialist in Manchester on Thursday, who confirmed he had a hernia which could require surgery.

That would sideline him both for the final Test at the Oval starting on September 5 and the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka.

Flintoff, who has played in the last 11 consecutive Tests for England, is expected to be named in a 13-man squad for the third Test by chairman of selectors David Graveney on Saturday.

But his participation at Headingley will depend upon him passing a fitness test. If he should fail to prove his fitness, he is likely to undergo his hernia operation straight away.

Flintoff said: "I will see how I go in the practice next week before the game and I hope I will be able to get through the Test Match.

"Then I will have to sit down with the England management team and decide on what happens after that.

"If I do (have a hernia operation), it's not a major thing. It's something a lot of footballers and rugby players have.

"The recovery period is four weeks and it's a question of if and when the best time to have it is," he told Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, Dominic Cork has had the all-clear on his knee injury and will hope to prove his fitness for the Test in Derbyshire's Norwich Union League clash against Surrey on Sunday.