Post by Liam O'Reilly on Aug 25, 2006 12:36:09 GMT
Andrew Flintoff has 'absolute faith' that he will be fit for the start of England's Ashes defence in November, but admits his ankle troubles will continue to plague him throughout his career.
The all-rounder, Man of the Series last summer as England finally regained the Ashes, is currently recovering from ankle surgery and is facing a race against time to be fit for the re-match.
Flintoff is supremely confident that he will be fit to take on the Aussies in the first Test in Brisbane on November 23, as he has faith in his Lancashire physio Dave Roberts.
"I've got absolute faith in my physio Dave Roberts and the specialist who performed the latest operation on my ankle," Flintoff told the Manchester Evening News.
"It was they who devised my rehabilitation programme and I have complete confidence that if I follow their guidelines to the letter I will be fully fit for the Ashes series.
"I can start running again early next month and that will be a big step on the road back."
After a second operation on his left ankle Flintoff accepts that he may have to contend with the problem for the rest of his career.
"I've been told that the stress on my left ankle when I make that final delivery stride is equal to eight times my body weight so perhaps it's not surprising that there has been some wear and tear to that joint down the years," he said.
"There is a possibility that the ankle will give me problems for the remainder of my career and that I'll have to continue with my rehab programme until I retire from the game.
"If that's the case then I'll just have to grin and bear it. That would be a small price to pay for continuing to play cricket for a living."
England will be desperate to get some cricket into Flintoff before the start of the Ashes, so he can hit the ground running when the battle commences.
Andrew Strauss has performed well when stepping in as captain with a 3-0 series victory over Pakistan under his belt, and Flintoff admits he may not be handed the job straight back for Australia.
"I wouldn't say I expect to be England's captain when we defend the Ashes in Australia because I never take anything for granted, but I would be more than happy to take on the job again if I was offered it," he added.
"I captained England during the tour to India and I loved every minute of it. I didn't feel there was any extra pressure on me at all.
"Andrew Strauss has done a great job during the series against Pakistan and he will be a major influence in Australia whether or not he's the captain because he's a good man to turn to for advice when things aren't going as well as you would like."
The all-rounder, Man of the Series last summer as England finally regained the Ashes, is currently recovering from ankle surgery and is facing a race against time to be fit for the re-match.
Flintoff is supremely confident that he will be fit to take on the Aussies in the first Test in Brisbane on November 23, as he has faith in his Lancashire physio Dave Roberts.
"I've got absolute faith in my physio Dave Roberts and the specialist who performed the latest operation on my ankle," Flintoff told the Manchester Evening News.
"It was they who devised my rehabilitation programme and I have complete confidence that if I follow their guidelines to the letter I will be fully fit for the Ashes series.
"I can start running again early next month and that will be a big step on the road back."
After a second operation on his left ankle Flintoff accepts that he may have to contend with the problem for the rest of his career.
"I've been told that the stress on my left ankle when I make that final delivery stride is equal to eight times my body weight so perhaps it's not surprising that there has been some wear and tear to that joint down the years," he said.
"There is a possibility that the ankle will give me problems for the remainder of my career and that I'll have to continue with my rehab programme until I retire from the game.
"If that's the case then I'll just have to grin and bear it. That would be a small price to pay for continuing to play cricket for a living."
England will be desperate to get some cricket into Flintoff before the start of the Ashes, so he can hit the ground running when the battle commences.
Andrew Strauss has performed well when stepping in as captain with a 3-0 series victory over Pakistan under his belt, and Flintoff admits he may not be handed the job straight back for Australia.
"I wouldn't say I expect to be England's captain when we defend the Ashes in Australia because I never take anything for granted, but I would be more than happy to take on the job again if I was offered it," he added.
"I captained England during the tour to India and I loved every minute of it. I didn't feel there was any extra pressure on me at all.
"Andrew Strauss has done a great job during the series against Pakistan and he will be a major influence in Australia whether or not he's the captain because he's a good man to turn to for advice when things aren't going as well as you would like."