Australia have been handed a major boost in the lead-up to this week's second Ashes Test at Lord's with Andrew Flintoff in serious doubt for the clash starting on Thursday.
The all-rounder looked proppy for the majority of Australia's innings in the drawn opener in Cardiff and officials have said
he has re-injured his right knee.
Steve Harmison has been called up for England's 14-man squad following the Durham quick's impressive form of late.
Flintoff has been far from the colossus of the 2005 series in the past two years but is still an inspirational figure in the England line-up.
Flintoff, who was sent for scans on Monday, provides great balance to the home side with his combination of hard hitting and pace bowling.
"Andrew is experiencing soreness and swelling in the knee which he twisted while in the field and he will be reassessed by the medical staff over the next 48 hours leading up to the Test match on Thursday," said selection boss Geoff Miller.
England feel Harmison is an ideal replacement with the ball if Flintoff fails to prove his fitness.
"In the event of Andrew being unfit, we see Stephen as a like for like replacement in terms of the type of bowler he is and his ability to unsettle the opposition batsmen with pace and bounce," Miller said.
"But we will need to consider all our options carefully when we come to determine the make-up of our bowling and the final decision will depend on our assessment of the pitch and the likely overhead conditions."
Harmison dismissed opener Phillip Hughes cheaply in both innings with awkward short balls in Australia's warm-up match in Worcester a fortnight ago.
Reserve batsman Ian Bell and back-up quick Graham Onions both retained their places with Stuart Broad under pressure to keep his spot in the starting line-up after an inconsistent showing in Wales.
Australia haven't been defeated in a Test at Lord's since 1934.
England's selectors have named the following 14-man squad for the second test:
ENGLAND
Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann.
- AAP
