England boosted by positive news on Flintoff injury

Injury-hit England were boosted by news that an MRI scan on key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff revealed no major damage to his left side.

Injury-hit England were boosted by news on Tuesday that an MRI scan on key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff revealed no major damage to his left side.

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Flintoff, 31, made a round trip to Jamaica on Monday, accompanied by team doctor Mike Stone, after complaining of a side strain.

The scan results, assessed in Britain by the ECB's chief medical officer Nick Peirce, have proved encouraging.

Flintoff, whose international comeback last summer was delayed by a similar injury, will now be monitored ahead of Thursday's fixture against West Indies A at Warner Park, Basseterre.

"The scan showed no major damage and we will continue to assess Andrew on a daily basis," said an England team spokesman.

"We haven't made a decision yet as to whether he is available for the next three-day game."

Flintoff arrived with his colleagues at the ground this morning for the final day of the contest with a St Kitts and Nevis XI - but did not take part in the warm-ups.

Another of the tourists' walking wounded, Owais Shah, was undergoing further medical checks on Tuesday on a scratched cornea.

Shah, who scored 125 not out in the first innings, was withdrawn from the match after he awoke with blurred vision in his left eye.