Andrew Flintoff is to rejoin the England squad later this week in an attempt to prove his fitness for the opening Test against Australia starting in Brisbane on November 7.

He left the tour party last Wednesday and travelled to join up with the Academy in Adelaide to enable him to receive intensive help with his rehabilitation from a double hernia operation.

England did not put a time-span on his absence from the squad but they were pessimistic about his chances of returning in time for the start of the series, with Flintoff having failed to run or bowl during the early part of the tour.

But he has made massive progress with the Academy and after a conversation with coach Duncan Fletcher, England have decided to recall him from Adelaide.

It is hoped that he will be able to play in England's final warm-up match against Queensland starting next Saturday.

Nasser Hussain said news of Flintoff's improvement had come at a good time.

"It's very good news, the injury is progressing well," he said. "He's gone off and got up early and worked his socks off and I hear he's bowling in the nets at about 80 per cent.

"The coach has spoken to him and he wants to make himself available for the next game in Brisbane and that's obviously very good news for the team, but we'll have to wait and see and see how he plays before we can make any big predictions."

Michael Vaughan, who has been unable to feature so far on the tour while he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery at the end of the summer, is also making improvements and is also expected to play against Queensland.

Darren Gough has also made improvements after a lengthy lay-off with knee problems and, after suffering no reaction to bowling in the nets earlier this week, is expected to help out with fielding duty during the final day of the warm-up match against Western Australia.