Michael Vaughan has admitted his eagerness to welcome back Andrew Flintoff into England's Test line-up once he shrugs off his latest injury.

All-rounder Flintoff would have been preparing for his first Test in 16 months with England at Lord's this week against New Zealand, but just days before he was due to be named in the squad he suffered a left side strain bowling for Lancashire.

The injury has ruled Flintoff out of the first two Tests against New Zealand, but it has not stopped England captain Vaughan from becoming enthusiastic at the idea of having the 30-year-old back in the ranks.

"I want him back fit," said Vaughan. "I was excited a week or so ago hearing the rumours of the way he was bowling for Lancashire and we want him back in the team - we're a better team when Freddie's in the side.

"He'd have come in and probably played at number seven in a three-man seam attack and he seems to be bowling better than ever, it's just unfortunate he's picked up this niggle.

"Whenever he's available later in the summer, once he's had a few games under his belt I'd love to have him back in the England side because I just know what a better side we are when he's in it."

Flintoff, sidelined for much of the last year with ankle problems which culminated in a fourth operation on his troublesome left joint last October, seems confident that once he is over his current setback he will be strong enough to withstand the rigours of international cricket.

Speaking to the Wisden Cricketer magazine, Flintoff claimed Dutch surgeon Niek van Dijk has finally corrected the problem, stressing: "He went into the joint and found things wrong.

"He removed some bone fragments that were deeply embedded and also did some work on the tendon. Having seen what the surgeon took out, I was confident the ankle was going to be fine.

"There has been something clinically wrong with my ankle and hopefully, having had this operation, the problem has been eradicated."

He added: "I would be lying if I said there wasn't a niggling bit of doubt in my mind, after four operations I think that is inevitable, but I just hope that in July I will still be all right."

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