| Player: | A Flintoff, KP Pietersen |
England batsman Kevin Pietersen said the positive side of Andrew Flintoffs absence means other players have a chance to prove their mettle.
Ashes hero Flintoff was on Sunday sidelined for the next three months, ruling him out of the on going Test series against Pakistan with a troublesome left ankle.
"This creates an opportunity for the youngsters and opens door for someone else to come in, do well and play for England. It will be a pretty big series to win without Freddie but we will be giving everything we can to beat Pakistan," said Pietersen.
Pietersen conceded that missing Flintoff would be a big blow, but injuries are injuries and it's just a case of wishing him well. We hope he will get himself right, to get back on that field for the Ashes. He's a big influence on the dressing room. He messes around and jokes about and he will be someone that is missed, he added.