Flintoff returns home early

Andrew Flintoff has today returned home from the Indian Premier League to undergo surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Flintoff had been appearing for Chennai Super KIngs in the IPL when he felt discomfort in his right knee. The Chennai medical staff immediately contacted ECB Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Peirce
Scans were taken of the right knee in a Durban hospital and they detected a slight medial meniscal tear in the knee and after these scans were viewed by Nick Peirce, radiologists the surgeon it was decided that Flintoff should return to London.

He will undergo an operation early next week and surgeons are confident that he should recover from the keyhole surgery within three to five weeks.

Nick Peirce said: ’Clearly this is a huge disappointment for both the player and the IPL team. This sort of degenerative injury though is one that could have happened at any time any where. The procedures we put in place meant that the ECB medical staff were alerted about the problem immediately and we thank Chennai for their co operation.’

Hugh Morris, England Cricket Managing Director, added: ’Andrew has been extremely unlucky with injuries but if there is one saving grace it is that the injury has occurred now rather than on the eve of either the ICC World Twenty20 or the npower Ashes.

’Having the surgery now means that Flintoff should be available for both those events although he is certain to miss the npower Test series against the West Indies.’

England will announce their side for the first npower Test series against the West Indies on April 29 and the final 15 and captain for the ICC World Twenty20 as well as the squad for the NatWest ODIs against the West Indies will be announced on May 1.