Lancashire star Andrew Flintoff is unlikely to play until summer 2008 after having another operation on his troubled left ankle.
He has been ruled out of the Test series in Sri Lanka in December and will almost certainly miss the tour of New Zealand in early 2008.
It is the fourth operation Flintoff has had on his ankle, and comes just four months after the previous surgery.
Flintoff is expected to resume full training in early January.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article