Flintoff missed the opening encounter at Lord's last week after suffering a shoulder injury.

It was feared the problem would be enough to keep him out of international action until the start of the one-day NatWest series next month but hopes of a speedy return were raised by his appearance in the Lancashire side which hammered Durham in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at the Riverside on Wednesday.

However, the 25-year-old confirmed there will be no quick return and instead he will travel for the Frizzell County Championship clash with Kent this week and stay with Lancashire for the encounter with Leicestershire in Liverpool on June 4.

Flintoff said: "I surprised myself by playing at Durham yesterday.

"I had treatment at Lord's last week and there were signs of improvement. But I still can't bowl and I also managed to get away without having to throw, which was a bonus.

"I won't play in the next Test and instead will stay with Lancashire for the next fortnight, then see how I feel."

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