England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is expected to be named captain for the Ashes defence against Australia in November.
According to reports in UK tabloid The Sun, Flintoff will be given the job ahead of Andrew Strauss despite the former being out of action with an ankle injury since July.
England will announce its touring squad for both the Ashes and next month's ICC Champions Trophy at the Oval on Tuesday night (AEST).
Flintoff - who was the man of the series last year when England reclaimed the Ashes after 16 years of dominance by Australia - is expected to be fit for the Champions Trophy one-day tournament in India.
He said he would love to captain the side, but was more concerned with retaining the urn.
"If I get an opportunity to captain the side, it would be fantastic," he told the BBC.
"I'd love to have a go but it's out of our control and Strauss has done a great job. As long as we win the Ashes, I'm not bothered."
He was unsure whether he would bowl in the Champions Trophy tournament, as well as bat.
"I've started running again in the last week. I've been running every day. I've had no ill effects from that," he said.
"But before then I will be building up the bowling at probably half-pace and then trying to get quicker over the next few weeks."
"I'm going to go out there probably initially as a batsman but probably throughout the tour I'll start handling the ball."
Captain Michael Vaughan was ruled out of the Australian tour earlier this year because of knee problems.
Flintoff captained England in six Tests after Vaughan got injured before Strauss took over from the all-rounder.
Opening batsman Strauss, who led England to a 2-2 series draw in a one-day international series against Pakistan, said he could do no more to convince selectors he should keep the top job.
"I've been captaining the side since June time so they've got a fair idea about what sort of captain I am," he said.
"I'd love to do the job in Australia but it's for other people to decide."
