Collingwood ready to welcome Freddie

England's new limited-overs captain was hindered by the absence of several key players during his maiden series against West Indies earlier this summer, but as he prepares for a far bigger test over the next three weeks against India's multi-talented side, he will be delighted to see the 6ft 4in frame of Flintoff return to the side following another ankle operation.

"To have Freddie back in the side is a great feeling for me as captain and a great feeling for the England cricket team," said Collingwood. "He's pretty much two players in one."

He added: "He helps to balance the side out a lot better but he's a world-class performer as well and I'm sure he'll be ready for the challenges of international cricket again."

Lancashire all-rounder Flintoff is due to bat at number six and allow Collingwood, who batted in that role against West Indies, to return to his preferred position of five.

Under-fire wicketkeeper Matt Prior is also due to continue in his role as pinch-hitter at the top of the order despite suffering mounting criticism in recent weeks for his glovework and constant chatter behind the stumps during the recent Test series.

But Collingwood believes Prior can emerge stronger for the criticism, stressing: "I know he has come in for a lot of criticism, but we know he's a world-class batsman-keeper and he'll go out there hopefully with the same kind of approach he used against West Indies and prove to everybody that he is the player he is.

"This is when the character comes through and certainly I believe he's got the character to shine through. Sometimes it makes you a lot stronger when you get this kind of criticism and come out the other end on top.

"When he looks back on his career in 10 years' time and hopefully he'll have achieved well for England, he'll probably be glad it's happened the way it has."