Andrew Flintoff could join the England Lions in India after all as a specialist batsman, according to national media reports.

The all-rounder, who is recovering from a fourth operation on his left ankle, had originally pulled out of the tour to continue his rehabilitation from injury.

But, according to the Daily Mail newspaper, such is his progress that he is now hopeful of flying to India in the next few days to play for the Lions solely as a batsman.