Vaughan says Flintoff will play

(GETTY IMAGES)

Andrew Flintoff will play for England in the second Test at Headingley tomorrow - and he will bat at number seven.

England captain Michael Vaughan gave those assurances today but was unable to announce his team, because of worries over seam bowler Ryan Sidebottom's fitness after a back injury.

Hampshire's Chris Tremlett is to be called in as cover for Sidebottom, and a final decision on the make-up of the team to face South Africa will be made on the morning of the match.

The candidates to lose their place to Flintoff tomorrow are middle-order batsman Paul Collingwood, or one of the other pace bowlers - again a decision Vaughan and Co will be leaving till the last minute.

"I will say that 'Freddie' Flintoff will play," the captain spelled out.

"He will bat at number seven, and then the decision will be made whether we go for four bowlers or five.

"Whichever decision we make, Freddie will definitely bat at seven."

As for Sidebottom's fitness, it seems another close call will have to be made.

"We are waiting on Ryan Sidebottom's injury - and we are not going to know until the morning," Vaughan added.

"Chris Tremlett will come in as cover."