UAE fits perfectly into Flintoff's plans

London: Andrew Flintoff could play club cricket in the UAE next spring in an attempt to get fit for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in March and April.

The England all-rounder is also hoping to tie up a sponsorship deal with Dubai Sports City (DSC) to help with the cost of his rehabilitation from knee surgery, as well as set up his own cricket academy in the UAE, possibly within the next year.

But his agent Andrew Chandler has admitted Flintoff's future is uncertain.

"I've spoken to Michael Vaughan, who had a similar operation, and he says Fred will do well to play 50-over cricket again," he said.

"Twenty-over cricket shouldn't be a problem, though, and if everything goes according to plan he'll be fit for the IPL.

"Having said that, we also have to consider the possibility that he may never play again at all. When you're sitting there for eight hours a day with your leg in the air, there's a lot of time for thoughts to go through your head and I would think that is one of them right now."

Flintoff, who is looking to buy a permanent home in Dubai because of its costly rental prices, is expected to spend the next few months in an advisory role with the UAE national side, coached by former Sussex all-rounder Colin Wells, in return for use of the facilities at DSC.

Mazhar Khan, the chief administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) said: "Negotiations are at an early stage, but there's definitely interest on both sides. I'm sure everyone here will be looking up to him as a guide and a mentor.

Flintoff earns an estimated £2 million (Dh12 million) a year, mainly through his contract with the IPL team, the Chennai Super Kings. By rejecting an incremental contract offered to him by the England and Wales Cricket Board earlier this month, he would be able to commit himself to the full six weeks of next spring's IPL tournament - England players are allowed only a three-week window.

Flintoff has also been linked to playing short-term cricket in South Africa, Australia and the West Indies. But Chandler said the player would always put England first.

"It is wrong, as I've read, that Fred may decide to play for other teams before England. People who say that just don't know him. He cares about playing for England."

There are already doubts about Flintoff's fitness for the Bangladesh tour.