ANDREW Flintoff’s possible unavailability for next month’s World Twenty20 would be a ‘‘huge blow’’ to England but one they are capable of overcoming, according to captain Paul Collingwood.

Durham batsman Collingwood is to lead his country in the shortest form of the international game but confirmed Flintoff, recovering from a knee injury, is far from certain to be fit in time.

Flintoff was named two weeks ago in a 15-man squad, despite still recovering from surgery on an injury which forced him to return early from the Indian Premier League.

England’s premier allrounder was ruled out of the ongoing two-match Test series against the West Indies, but it was hoped he would be back in time for the Twenty20 and the Ashes, which follow at the start of July.

The 31-year-old said today he has yet to start running again following his operation.

‘‘I’d love to play in the Twenty20 but that might be too tight,’’ he said. ‘‘I had an operation two weeks ago and I’m already off my crutches.

The Ashes are a long way off and I’ll be fine for them.’’ Collingwood admits England can only hope Flintoff is fit in time to take part in the World Twenty20, being staged in this country from June 5.

‘‘I think we’re still waiting on how his fitness will be over the next couple of weeks,’’ said Collingwood. ‘‘It would be a big blow if he’s not in it, but we’ll have to overcome it.’’ Collingwood acknowledges Flintoff’s absence would leave a big hole to fill in the England team.

‘‘He’s very much two players in one, as I’ve always said,’’ he explained. ‘‘But I think we’ve got quite a versatile squad.

‘‘It would be a huge blow if he wasn’t going to be fit, but we certainly have the players in the squad to overcome that in many ways.’’ Even so, England would be very much moving on to plan B should Flintoff not be ready in time.

‘‘Without Fred, it makes it very difficult to get the right balance between batters and bowlers in the final 11,’’ added Collingwood, who does not discount the suggestion Flintoff could return to the squad mid-tournament if necessary.

‘‘It’s something we’re going to have to gauge,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re going to know a lot more in the next couple of weeks and we’ll get over that hurdle when it comes around.’’