'Flintoff will return as allrounder' - Graveney

Andrew Flintoff will return for England as a fully-fledged allrounder and not a specialist batsman after his latest ankle surgery, according to chairman of selectors David Graveney.

Flintoff, who has already missed the first two Tests of the ongoing series against the West Indies and will sit out the third Test, underwent his third ankle operation in as many years last week.

The injury is believed to be a result of the massive strain his large frame puts on his ankle during delivery. With a packed international schedule, it has been suggested in some quarters that he reduce his workload and play as a batsman only in ODIs to prolong his career.

But Graveney was confident Flintoff would make a full recovery and play a full part with England. "It's an interesting theory," said Graveney. "But as far as we're concerned Freddie is injured and has a number of weeks to get over this operation but when he comes back we would anticipate him taking part in all forms of cricket whether it is one-day or Test matches.

"There has been a lot of speculation about whether Freddie will continue in the role he has been as one of the leading all-rounders in world cricket, but we believe he'll be playing a full part for England before the end of the summer." After the West Indies series, India are due to arrive for three Tests and a series of ODIs.

"Freddie had his operation on Friday and there is nothing they found there which they weren't expecting, although there's some debris in his ankle," Graveney added.

England, who have named an unchanged XI for the third Test against the West Indies, are suffering from a spate of injuries to their fast bowlers; in addition to Flintoff, they are without Matthew Hoggard. Simon Jones, who was so influential in the 2005 Ashes success, has not played internationally since then and Sajid Mahmood is due to undergo a double hernia operation that will keep him out for most of the summer.