LONDON, June 6: England have delayed naming their squad for the upcoming five-match one-day series with Sri Lanka as they wait for news on injured all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

The England star, captain of the side while Michael Vaughan recovers from a knee injury, endured fresh trouble with his problem left ankle during the third Test against Sri Lanka concluded at Trent Bridge on Monday.

David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, had been due to announce the one-day squad on Wednesday.

But an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement on Tuesday said the squad would be revealed “later in the week at a time to be confirmed”.The statement added: “The England medical staff is awaiting further information on Andrew Flintoff's injured left ankle and an update will be issued on Wednesday).”

England now find themselves facing up to the prospect of Flintoff missing the one-dayers.

“I've had a scan which shows bone fragments - three of them,” Flintoff said.

The hard-hitting batsman and fiery pace bowler has now suffered a recurrence of discomfort in the same joint which required surgery 16 months ago.

Flintoff's setback comes at a time when fellow England quicks Simon Jones (knee) and James Anderson (back) are sidelined although Stephen Harmison is now playing county cricket with Durham after a shin problem.

“The film has gone to the specialist. At this stage it's just a case of waiting to see what the findings are,” Flintoff said.

“They've found these fragments – whether they've been around for a long time or are a new thing, I'm not sure.”

If both Flintoff and Vaughan are ruled out, England will have a new captain.—AFP