Flintoff's ankle concerns England

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff has given England cause for concern ahead of the first Test after reporting discomfort in his left ankle.

Flintoff said his ankle was sore following Lancashire's County Championship match against Hampshire.

He has had a scan and the results will be reviewed on Monday.

"When a player is having a scan three days before the start of the first Test, it is a concern for us," an ECB spokesman told the BBC Sport website.

"We await the results of the scan and the medical team's assessment before being able to make any further comment.

"To say Andrew could miss the entire match or only be able to bat is pure speculation at this stage."

Flintoff, 29, was named in England's 12-man squad on Sunday, although Lancashire team-mate James Anderson was put on standby.

His injury will be re-assessed by team medics ahead of net practice at Lord's on Tuesday, with the Test against West Indies starting on Thursday.

Flintoff has twice had surgery on his left ankle in the last three years.

He missed the second half of last summer with it and he only just finished his rehabilitation in time to lead England into the Champions Trophy and the Ashes.

England are already without captain Michael Vaughan for the first Test of the four-match series, with opener Andrew Strauss taking over the captaincy instead of Flintoff.

And Kevin Pietersen is also a doubt having pulled out of Hampshire's match with Lancashire with a calf muscle tear.

(from BBC.com)