Talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was dispatched to see his ankle surgeon as England prepared for last-minute selection issues for the World Twenty20.

Unlike one-day colleague Ravi Bopara, the 29-year-old Flintoff has not yet been ruled out of the final two NatWest Series matches against India, starting with the penultimate fixture at the Brit Oval today, nor the 20-over tournament in South Africa.

Essex's Bopara is now a doubt to make the five-match campaign in Sri Lanka which begins in the first week of October.

His absence means England will have at least one alteration to their 15-man party when they fly to Johannesburg on Sunday and changes may be made as late as 24 hours beforehand due to the current fitness uncertainty surrounding Flintoff and Chris Tremlett.

Fast bowler Tremlett misses today's match after having an injection in an inflamed ligament in his right ankle and will be reassessed tomorrow.

Given Flintoff's general influence, and that with the ball in particular, however, what the ankle surgeon recommends will be key to England's immediate plans.

''He has not been ruled out of selection for tomorrow so thus not ruled out of Saturday or the Twenty20,'' said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

''But understandably we have to seek the proper professional opinion. His mood is remarkably upbeat given the number of operations he has had.

''It is not for me to speculate about what might happen in the future, let's see what the surgeon concerned and our medical staff say on where we go from here.

''He batted today; obviously he is able to do all the other things in playing cricket except bowl at 95 miles per hour.

''Everyone will be involved in the discussions as to what role Freddie can play in the short and long-term.

''We want to see him play as an all-rounder and bowl as he has done in this series.''

Bopara's dislocated right thumb is expected to keep him out for between four and six weeks - which Graveney said 'still gives him possibilities of being available for the one-day tournament in Sri Lanka'.

But on the positive side, left-armer Ryan Sidebottom was back in the nets and is over a side strain after missing the first five matches of a series England lead 3-2.

Scans on Flintoff's left ankle - which has been operated on three times - have proved clear but England may opt to give him time out.

Current one-day squad members Ian Bell, James Anderson and Dimitri Mascarenhas are all in the shake-up to fill in.