England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has taken six injections in the last 18 days to avoid his recurring knee injury from spoiling his dream run at the Ashes, in the last part of which the 31-year-old would bid farewell to Test cricket.According to a statement in the 'Daily Mirror', "Flintoff is still confident about his chances of playing in Friday's fourth Test at Headingley, despite running repairs to his right knee which have turned him into an effective pin cushion."
Flintoff's fitness has become a main anxiety for England, which has a 1-0 edge in the series thanks largely to the all-rounder's heroic performances.
Flintoff had to take five injections during his man of the match winning heroic show in the Lord's Test and he took the sixth jab last night.
Flower, meanwhile, admitted that Flintoff did not look totally fit during the drawn Edgbaston match and is a doubtful starter for the 4th match.
"Fred personally is quite confident about playing, but he was moving gingerly in the field at Edgbaston," Flower said.
"We will have to leave our conclusion to the last minute again and trust him to give us good information about his own body, along with the advice of our medical staff. We all realize the situation and we know he is struggling, but we have our possibility plans ready and the people involved in those plans know where they stand.
"Although he is possibly less likely to play at Headingley than at Edgbaston in percentage terms, he is a strong bloke with a brawny mind and great willpower. If he is fit enough, he will play," he added.
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