England await Flintoff verdict

Key all-rounder Flintoff has been a doubt for England since it was revealed he felt discomfort in his troublesome left ankle while bowling for Lancashire against Hampshire last weekend, and he faces a crucial fitness test on Wednesday morning.

Should he fail his fitness test, Middlesex batsman Owais Shah may play his second Test - while England could also consider calling Lancashire's James Anderson from Old Trafford into the squad as an extra bowler.

Flintoff, however, was not the prime concern of West Indies batsman Chris Gayle on Tuesday when he considered the threat posed by England's attack.

"(Steve) Harmison and (Matthew) Hoggard are in good form, so it is going to be very challenging - but we are looking forward to it," he said, preparing for a four-Test series between two teams with much to prove.

Gayle recalls Harmison's match-winning form during England's romp to series victories in the West Indies and at home in 2004.

"Harmison created a lot of problems for us with extra bounce, even in the Caribbean," said Gayle, who nonetheless has a plan to combat the Durham fast bowler.

"We will have to try to counter-attack him and put him under a bit of pressure. You've got to come hard at people, whoever the opponent is."

Even so, left-handed opener Gayle remains respectful of Harmison - who took a career-best seven for 12 against the Windies at Sabina Park three years ago.

"He still has the capability of getting it right - and on any given day, he is dangerous. But we have to back ourselves against him," Gayle concluded.