Concern over injuries to Trescothick and Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff and Marcus Trescothick have emerged as injury doubts for England's first match of the NatWest triangular one-day series against New Zealand on Thursday.

Andrew Flintoff and Marcus Trescothick have emerged as injury doubts for England's first match of the NatWest triangular one-day series against New Zealand on Thursday.

Flintoff is rated as no more than 50-50 for the day-night encounter at Old Trafford after reporting pain in his left foot during England's final Test victory at Trent Bridge last week.

The all-rounder had a scan last week and will be given on-going physiotherapy, but England's management were less than hopeful about Flintoff making a return this week.

His possible absence was compounded by an injury scare for Trescothick, who sprained his left ankle during fielding drills in the indoor centre at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff yesterday. He was helped to the physio's room and given immediate ice treatment before undergoing X-rays to determine the damage.

England plan to examine both players once the squad assemble at Old Trafford for training today. Kent's Robert Key could come in to replace Trescothick, with Anthony McGrath of Yorkshire the likely deputy for Flintoff.

"Tresco is meant to have done this before and said he thought it would be all right, but you never really know what's exactly happened until 24 hours later," the England coach, Duncan Fletcher, said. "I like to look on the positive about these things, because it could give another guy an opportunity, but it is a big blow for us, because they are two major players for us. Freddie [Flintoff] is especially a key player, but Tresco has also been outstanding for us."