Andrew Flintoff is in contention to make his return from injury in Lancashire's clash with Durham on Thursday.
England all-rounder could make his return at Durham
Andrew Flintoff is in contention to make his comeback in Lancashire's LV County Championship fixture against Durham on Thursday.
The 31-year-old England all-rounder has not played since undergoing surgery on a knee injury sustained during the Indian Premier League.
He has been batting and bowling outdoors this week as his Red Rose team-mates played out a weather-hit draw against Somerset at Old Trafford.
Lancashire coach Peter Moores has confirmed Flintoff is now in the final stages of his rehabilitation and is refusing to rule the all-rounder out of the Division One fixture against the reigning county champions.
Rehab
"He has progressed really well," said Moores. "I always take a back seat from the cricket side and let the medical staff tell me when he is ready.
"If they turn around to me and say the bloke can play then we will sort something out. It's all gone very well and probably better than some people expected in many ways.
"He is coming to Durham whatever. It's part of his whole rehab, to be integrated into the team here and back into cricket.
"Playing or not playing you are in that team environment, batting two or three times a day, bowling two or three times a day. You are on your feet more and generally getting yourself ready to go.
"We will have the squad that we have had for Somerset. We will add one or two more - Fred will come with us and we will see where we are.
"When he walks out onto that field it's because everybody thinks it's the right time."
Commitment
Neither Lancashire nor England have set a date for Flintoff's return, but next Wednesday's clash with Hampshire at Liverpool had looked the more realistic possibility.
But it now seems the former England captain could be back even sooner as he bids to prove his fitness in time for the Ashes series, which starts on July 8.
"Fred doesn't want to use Lancashire as a vehicle to get fit. If he plays he wants to take a full and active part in the game," continued Moores. "He is a Lancashire man and he wants to respect the club.
"For Freddie's sake he wants to come in fully fit, ready to play so he can go in there feeling protected enough to give it a real go."
