Flintoff doubtful for second Ashes Test

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The 31-year-old Lancastrian has been included in a 14-man squad for Thursday's Test, but is due to go for a scan later in the day to determine the extent of the soreness he experienced in his right knee during the drawn opening Test.

England have added Durham fast bowler Steve Harmison to the squad as cover for Flintoff, who only returned to action after undergoing surgery on the same knee last month after injuring it during his spell in the Indian Premier League.

Flintoff is due to be examined over the next two days before England make a decision on his fitness, but the latest injury setback for their influential all-rounder is bound to be seen as a concern just a few days before the start of the next Test.

"Andrew is experiencing soreness and swelling in the knee which he twisted while in the field, and he will be reassessed by the medical staff over the next 48 hours leading up to the Test on Thursday," said national selector Geoff Miller.

"In the event of Andrew being unfit, we see Stephen as a like-for-like replacement in terms of the type of bowler he is and his ability to unsettle the opposition batsmen with pace and bounce.

"But we will need to consider all our options carefully when we come to determine the make-up of our bowling attack at Lord's, and the final decision will depend on our assessment of the pitch and the likely overhead conditions."

Harmison's return after claiming wickets for England Lions against Australia and for Durham this week against Yorkshire at Headingley will boost the bowling options, although the selectors may have to look at the batting line-up if Flintoff is ruled out.

Durham seamer Graham Onions and Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell, who were named in the squad for the first Test but missed out on the starting line-up, retain their places.

England squad: AJ Strauss (Middlesex, capt) Age 32 Tests 62, AN Cook (Essex) 24 44, RS Bopara (Essex) 24 7, KP Pietersen (Hampshire) 29 53, PD Collingwood (Durham) 33 49, MJ Prior (Sussex, wkt) 27 19, A Flintoff (Lancashire) 31 75, SCJ Broad (Notinghamshire) 23 18, GP Swann (Nottinghamshire) 30 8, JM Anderson (Lancashire) 26 38, MS Panesar (Northamptonshire) 27 39, IR Bell (Warwickshire) 27 47, G Onions (Durham) 26 2, SJ Harmison (Durham) 30 60.