Flintoff hopes to be 'new man' after injury

Dubai: Allrounder Andrew Flintoff says he's hoping to be a "new man" for England when he recovers from injury.

"Things are looking good with my ankle at the moment, and hopefully I will come back a new man for England this summer," said Flintoff, who was in Dubai to attend the inauguration of Ernie Els' new golf course.

The 30-year-old former England captain is recuperating from a fourth operation on his left ankle and has not played for England since the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa last year.

"I definitely don't want to rush it," Flintoff said. "I've had practice sessions as a batsman, but I haven't tried bowling as yet."

Flintoff, who has played 67 Tests and taken 197 wickets with a batting average of 32.50 runs, said he wanted to be fit for a three-Test series against New Zealand in England, which starts in May.

The allrounder played a key role when England regained the Ashes from Australia in 2005, scoring more than 400 runs and taking 24 wickets.

Australia won the last series 5-0 at home with the next Ashes scheduled for 2009 in England.

Australia's Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist have retired from Test cricket since the last Ashes but Flintoff said the team would still be strong.

"I am sure they will have players to fill up these places," Flintoff said. "We just have to think about what we will have to do to win the Ashes again."