Cricket: England in need of a back-up to ace Freddie; Flintoff faces injury lay-off.

Byline: By RICHARD GIBSON

ENGLAND have begun formulating plans to cover Andrew Flintoff's likely absence from the next Test as they attempt to overhaul a 1-0 series deficit to West Indies.

Talisman Flintoff was due to have a scan on a suspected muscle tear in his right hip yesterday - the results of which will be revealed today - and acting coach Andy Flower concedes the tourists are not overly hopeful on the prognosis.

Although the 31-year-old went through the pain barrier to send down a dozen overs on a final day of excruciating frustration at the Antigua Recreation Ground on Thursday, England will mull over potential contingency combinations in the next 48 hours.

Both Amjad Khan and Ravi Bopara could therefore feature in the two-day contest against a Barbados Cricket Association Presidents XI, starting on Sunday, just hours after a long haul journey from New Zealand.

"Part of the reason we have called up Ravi Bopara is because if we decided to play six batsmenwewouldn't have anyone in reserve, so if someone bust a finger in the two-day game, we wouldn't be able to play six," explained Flower.

"On the other hand if he (Flintoff) is out - and it is quite likely he might be out of the next Test - we would be one seamer down, so we have got Amjad Khan in."

Trying to balance a sidewithout Flintoff has been a perennial problem for England over recent years due to a recurring ankle injury. The situation this time, however, is further complicated by wicketkeeper Matt Prior's domestic situation.

Prior, 26, is on call to return home for the birth of his first child, and currently scheduled to fly back on March 2, immediately upon the conclusion of the Barbados Test.

If he starts the match, Prior is committed to playing, but should his wife go into labour before next Thursday, he would temporarily quit the tour.

Prior moving up to number six would allow England to field a five-man bowling attack but there are doubts as to whether deputy glove man Tim Ambrose is strong enough to fill the same position.

England's injury problems have worsened over the last few days and off-spinner Graeme Swann - who enjoyed a fine personal Test in Antigua - is battling an elbow injury, which has put his own retention in the side in doubt.

But the main concern remains over the health of Flintoff, who underwent an anti-inflammatory injection during this week's nail-biting draw.

He subsequently bowled on the injury on the fifth day such was both his and England's desire to level things up with two matches to play.

"I was very concerned about him doing himself lasting damage but I don't think that is the case luckily," said Flower.

"Before the day started there was a line that he and Andrew Strauss had to walk, between using him when we needed him, and not doing himself lasting damage.

"I think they did that, though we will find out tomorrow when we get the scan results."

CAPTION(S):

All rounder Andrew Flintoff grimaces with pain during England's draw with the West Indies in the third Test