Andrew Flintoff is to work with the England team ahead of the opening Test against South Africa at Lord's - but only as a net bowler.

The Lancashire all-rounder remained in London following his side's Twenty20 Cup quarter-final defeat to Middlesex to train with the England squad.

Although Flintoff will not be added to the England squad for Test against the Proteas, he will have his fitness monitored by the medical team.

Having returned from surgery on his ankle, Flintoff had been pencilled in to make Test return against New Zealand - only for a side strain to rule him out.

However, he has made a strong comeback with both bat and ball - including a half-century and taking 3-17 in the defeat to Middlesex on Tuesday.