Flintoff may miss World Twenty20 tournament

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is unlikely to be fit for next month's World Twenty20 due to the slow response of his right knee to an operation performed last month. Flintoff, had keyhole surgery on April 28 after damaging his knee playing for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

At the time, the England and Wales Cricket Board issued a bullish statement saying they expected him to return for the World Twenty20, which begins on June 5. Yet Flintoff, in an interview with Sky Sports due to be shown on Saturday, has cast doubt on that prognosis.

"I'm making progress, and I've been on the bike for 45 minutes. But I'm still a while away from running - maybe a week and a half or so. One of the things we've got to be careful about is swelling, which is why we're constantly icing and monitoring it after one session before I can do the next one," he told.

England's opening game in the World Twenty20 is against Holland at Lord's in 19 days' time, but Flintoff's presence there always looked far from optimistic despite his selection in the 15-man squad.

Injured Flintoff dreaming of playing the Ashes

England's all-rounder, Andrew Flintoff, is recovering from knee surgery, and despite his latest setback, he insists that he is working towards participating in this year's Ashes against the Australians.

"When you've had the problems I've had, with the ankle operations and now my knee, then it's the dream of playing Ashes cricket and beating Australia that keeps you going," he told.

"That's the motivation during rehab, but when the time comes around I have to make sure I'm on top of my game, too. It is the series you want to play in. People ask if the 5-0 whitewash in 2006-07 motivates me for revenge. But, to be honest, I don't need any more motivation than just to play in The Ashes again," he added.

"My injury was building up, and while it's frustrating, at least it happened now. There was always going to be people commenting about it. But it wasn't one incident that did it, it was a gradual thing that had built up over time.

I would have been playing for Lancashire had it not been Chennai in the IPL, so this would have happened. And their medical staff were excellent. I have no regrets, none whatsoever," Flintoff said.

He added: "I cannot wait to get back into the side - provided I'm performing.