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Andrew Flintoff has spoken for the first time since undergoing his latest ankle operation in Holland last week. He remains confident that he can return to the top of his powers, but is prepared for a long rehabilitation and isn’t expected to make his comeback until the 2008 English season.

“I’m absolutely confident I can get back playing for Lancashire and England again to the level I have in the past,” he told The Sun. “I’m very positive about things. The surgeon went into the joint and found things wrong.

“He has removed some bone fragments that were deeply embedded and done some work on the tendon too. Professor Van Dijk is more than happy with what he has done and confident he has got to the bottom of the problem.”

The operation was Flintoff’s fourth on the ankle and after experiencing pain during the World Twenty20 in South Africa every avenue was explored in an attempt to solve the problem.” Nick Peirce, the England doctor, and my fitness trainer Dave Roberts explored every avenue including America,” said Flintoff.

“We also consulted the surgeons who performed the previous operations. There was general agreement Professor Van Dijk was the best man. He is regarded as the leading man in his field in the world. I’m confident I can come back. It will be hard work again but I’ve been through lots of rehab programmes so I know what is involved.”

There has been a feeling in the past that Flintoff has rushed his returns, both through his own desire to play and England’s eagerness to have his all-round skills back in the side. However, this time he is prepared for an extended recovery and refuses to listen to people who are saying he will never return to the peak of his powers.

“I’m not setting any targets about when I might play again - all I’m thinking is when I can come off the crutches, which should be in a few days,” he said. “We have a lot of time so the ankle can heal naturally. Time is one thing we have in our favour so there is absolutely no need to rush things.

“Some people say I came back too quickly in the past and now some people reckon I’m finished. A lot of people have been saying a lot of things but I’m not bothered. All I care about is getting 100 per cent fit again so I can play for Lancashire and England to the level I have in the past.

“But my motivation is not to prove anybody wrong. My motivation is to play cricket.”

Source:Cricket News