LONDON, Aug 2: Lancashire physio Dave Roberts revealed on Saturday how he feared for all-round Andrew Flintoff’s future following his most recent ankle surgery.

Flintoff had a fourth operation on his left ankle last October and returned to the England Test side for the first time in 18 months against South Africa at Headingley.

He has proved to be England’s best bowler in the third Test at Edgbaston and a fiery spell of fast bowling on Thursday evening kept England in contention.

Roberts told The Guardian: “I’ve never said this to anyone before but after that last operation I did think, ‘Will he ever be the same again?’

“I could never share that with Fred because you have to be upbeat. So to see him come in the other night was fantastic and a massive relief.”

Roberts now believes Flintoff can have a prolonged international career.

“I am optimistic,” he added. “He’s fitter and stronger than ever. I he keeps fit, keeps doing his rehab and prehab and keeps looking after the ankle, he can be around for a long time.”

—AFP