England v New Zealand

[Brainy]

Andrew Flintoff will miss two of England's three Test matches against New Zealand because of a side strain.

The all-rounder experienced discomfort in the left side of his body during Lancashire's 232-run victory over Durham at Old Trafford on Friday.

"It's frustrating to have picked up an injury at this time. I want nothing more than to return to the England side," said Flintoff.

He added: "I've put in a lot of hard work to get to this point after ankle surgery last year and I know I can overcome what isn't a significant injury....and will continue to do everything to make myself available for selection."

The England and Wales Cricket Board stressed Flintoff's side strain had no connection to the ankle injury which kept him out of England's winter tours to Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

But it means Flintoff - who has not played for England since the final Ashes match in Sydney in January 2007 - will not figure in the selection process until the third Test at Trent Bridge on 5 June at the earliest.

Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes said the timing of his latest injury was "unfortunate".

He told BBC Sport: "There doesn't appear to be any problems at all with his ankle, which is great news, but as often happens when you've been out for a while with an injury, you start to pick up other injuries.

"I think we've actually got it before it became a really bad strain...[but] it does mean he's going to be out for two to three weeks, probably.

"It is a shame for the lad because he was starting to get his confidence back, certainly with his bowling."

Flintoff's absence could mean the selectors opt for six specialist batsmen and the four-man bowling attack which inspired England to a 2-1 series victory in New Zealand in March.

The quartet of Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Monty Panesar and Ryan Sidebottom are all in contention for a place in the starting XI at Lord's on Thursday.

Yorkshire's Matthew Hoggard, Hampshire's Chris Tremlett and Durham's Graham Onions could also figure in the selectors' thoughts - the trio each collected three wickets for the England Lions against the tourists at the Rose Bowl on Friday.

England have fitness concerns over Paul Collingwood and keeper Tim Ambrose but both are likely to make the squad, which will be named on Sunday morning.

Collingwood was given a pain-killing injection because of a shoulder problem during Durham's Championship defeat by Lancashire, and his condition will be assessed by England's medical staff when the team gathers at Lord's.

But Ravi Bopara could be included in the squad as cover after recently turning down the chance to play in the Indian Premier League to focus on trying to further his England career.

Ambrose, meanwhile, has a sore neck, but he is confident he will shake it off in time to make his first home Test appearance.

Possible England squad: M Vaughan (capt), A Strauss, A Cook, K Pietersen, I Bell, P Collingwood, R Bopara, T Ambrose, S Broad, R Sidebottom, M Panesar, J Anderson.

[SamL]

It's a shame Flintoff has picked up yet another injury, although I didn't think he'd be ready for international selection anyway.

He's bowling extremely well but his batting isn't up to much at the moment, which is a shame. He's had something like 5 consecutive ducks.

I think he'll be back later on in the summer, scoring runs in the process.