ANDREW Flintoff says he will be putting Lancashire first in his bid to regain his England Test spot following a fourth operation on his left ankle late last year.
The 30-year-old star all-rounder has been named in the Red Rose county's 17-man squad for next week's pre-season tour to the UAE.
And while he has targeted a return to national colours in time for the first Test of the home summer against New Zealand in May, he stressed that performing for his county is his number one priority.
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"County cricket should not be used as a fitness test to play for England," he stated. "It's a tough competition, one that I don't think any cricketer has mastered.
"It's not about getting through Championship matches, it is about performing and doing well for Lancashire.
"It's tough to go out there and perform against county sides. I will be trying to do that with one eye on the Test matches. But first and foremost is trying to get Lancashire off to a good start in the County Championship."
Freddie was able to include bowling in his rehab programme for the first time yesterday, turning his arm over off three paces in the Old Trafford nets.
He is aiming to up the ante during the four one-day matches in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi - although cricket manager Mike Watkinson said he is not expected to play every game.
"I don't want to get ahead of myself," continued Flintoff. "We have taken so much time and worked so hard, it would be silly to fall at the final hurdle having pushed it too much now.
"So Dubai is a big trip for me on the cricket field, as is getting Lancashire off to a good start in the season.
On his bowling workload, he continued: "I have got my programme through from the ECB, which Winker (Mike Watkinson) and Sam, the physio here at Lancs, have discussed.
"I will do some bowling through the rest of this week. Whilst we are out in Dubai I will step it up a little bit, but we just have to see what happens.
"To set something in stone would be foolish. We have just got to see how I respond after today and after tomorrow. Play it day by day.
"There's not a lot more I can do now, it's about getting back into cricket and form - especially with the bat.
"My bowling suffered with a lack of fitness as a result of the ankle injury but my batting, more so - I was batting on one leg."
Lancashire play the UAE national side, Essex, Sussex and Yorkshire between March 14-21. Their first game is in Sharjah against the hosts.
Tickets for Lancashire's Twenty20 Cup campaign are now on sale through the Old Trafford ticket office on 0161 282 4040.
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