England's hopes of retaining the Ashes have been dealt a shattering blow with news that star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be out of action for 12 weeks after being told he requires surgery on his left ankle.
Flintoff, who filled in as captain for the injured Michael Vaughan, will go under the knife next week, ruling him out of the remainder of Pakistan's tour of England.
The injury has placed Flintoff in grave doubt for the Champions Trophy in India, which begins on October 7, and he faces a race against time to be fit and match hardened for the start of the Ashes series in Brisbane on November 23.
The injury first came to light nearly two months ago during the final Test against Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge with scans revealing floating bone fragments left over from surgery at the beginning of last year.
However, Flintoff was set to resume his Test career this Thursday at Old Trafford after getting through the first three days of a county match.
But those plans were scuttled when he again felt pain in his ankle on Friday, with the England and Wales Cricket Board learning of the bad news from specialists.
With Vaughan almost certain to miss the Ashes defence and question marks hanging over Simon Jones, Ashley Giles, England cannot afford to lose Flintoff, who starred with 402 runs and 24 wickets in last year's stirring victory over Australia.
