England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is an injury doubt for the 1st Test against Zimbabwe at Lord's next week.

The 25-year-old withdrew from his county's current match against Essex after complaining of pain in his bowling arm. The initial diagnosis was a suspected compressed nerve in his shoulder.

His fitness is a major concern for England with fellow all-rounder Craig White already ruled out due to surgery. As a result the ECB has confirmed Flintoff will go for further tests later this week to confirm the extent of his current injury.

For Flintoff it is just the latest in a series of injury set-backs that have contributed to his stop-start international career. He missed the entire winter Ashes series in Australia after struggling to recover from a double hernia operation.

He recovered sufficiently to be England's most impressive player during their subsequent World Cup campaign in South Africa and had been in similarly good form, especially with the bat, since returning to play for Lancashire.

David Graveney, chairman of selectors, is due to announce England's Test squad at 10.45am on Saturday.

15 May, 2003