Cricket: HURT FLINTOFF FACES FOUR-MONTH LAY-OFF.

Byline: MIKE WALTERS

FREDDIE FLINTOFF is facing four months out of cricket after suffering a recurrence of his troublesome ankle bone spur in South Africa.

Flintoff finished England's fourth Test victory with soreness in his left ankle and from the damaged rib muscle he sustained in Cape Town earlier this month.

He will consult a specialist in Johannesburg today, and may have a pain-killing injection to get through the final Test, starting in Centurion on Friday.

The condition is caused when two bones in the ankle joint rub together causing inflammation. England physio Kirk Russell said: "It is a common problem among fast bowlers and surgery is a viable option. An operation would involve between three or four months out." Flintoff's bowling sidekick Steve Harmison is doubtful for the final Test after a scan on his damaged calf yesterday proved inconclusive.

However, Ashley Giles (dislocated thumb), Geraint Jones (bruised hand) and Simon Jones (groin) are all expected to be available for selection.

CAPTION(S):

STUMPED: Flintoff