Andrew Flintoff Returned To Training With Lancashire

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff returned to training with Lancashire on Monday as his long awaited cricket comeback moved a step closer to reality.

Flintoff has had two knee operations since helping England to victory in the final Test of last year`s Ashes series win over Australia and has yet to make it back onto the field.

The 32-year-old has now retired from Test cricket but intends to return and fight for his England place in the limited-overs formats.

Flintoff, who has been training in Dubai, was back `home` at Old Trafford yesterday to open The Point, Lancashire`s new 12 million pounds conference centre, during the mid-innings break of England`s series-flinching one-wicket win over Australia in the third one-day international.

"The next few weeks are about getting into some short of shape to play," Flintoff told today`s Manchester Evening News.

Flintoff, who hasn`t given up on being in England`s World Cup squad in Asia in February, added: "I`ve not played for nine or ten months now. I`ve just got to get fit, get back on the field for Lancashire and take it from there."