ENGLAND’S planning for a gruelling 2009 schedule has suffered an early setback with Andrew Flintoff being ruled out for the start of the summer with a knee injury sustained playing in the Indian Premier League.

The influential all-rounder has flown home from South Africa, where he has been playing for the Chennai Super Kings, to undergo keyhole surgery after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee which is expected to rule him out for the next three to five weeks.

He will miss the Test and one-day series against West Indies and although he is expected to be fit enough to return for the start of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in June, England will face a major dilemma about how best to get him match fit before the start of the Ashes.

‘‘Andrew has been extremely unlucky with injuries, but if there is one saving grace it is that the injury has occurred now, rather than on the eve of either the ICC World Twenty20 or the Ashes,’’ said Hugh Morris, the managing director of England cricket.

‘‘Having the surgery now means he should be available for both those events, although he is certain to miss the Test series against West Indies.’’ The injury came to light when 31-year-old Flintoff complained of soreness after playing his latest match for Chennai, who slipped to defeat against Delhi Daredevils in Durban on Thursday.

He was sent for a scan and it was decided Flintoff should return to London for an operation.