Instead of Fred

By Martin Gough

England's injury list in full

Squad selector: Pick your perfect England XI

England have avoided trying to find a like-for-like Flintoff replacement

After Andrew Flintoff's new injury blow, England must play the rest of the Test series against Pakistan with four of the Ashes-winning side unavailable.

Three other players who could have been key contributors this summer are also out of action at the moment.

But with a series in Australia looming, they need to find a way to win with the players available, knowing this could be the side that plays in the first Test in Brisbane on 23 November.

There is only one Flintoff, and England appear to have recognised that as they have not so far selected a pace-bowling all-rounder as a direct replacement.

How will the side take shape instead? BBC Sport looks at the options.

OPTION ONE - LORD'S FORMATION

Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell, G Jones, Mahmood, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar

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In the first Test against Pakistan, England looked to replace Flintoff's runs with Ian Bell batting at six, and making a century.

But they also had to make do without his wickets, arguably the deciding factor in the drawn match.

In this plan, spinner Monty Panesar is used as a more attacking option - and is relied on to take more wickets - than his predecessor Ashley Giles.

But there is pressure on the first-change bowler, likely to be Sajid Mahmood this week with Liam Plunkett the latest casualty.

Bell, Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen are relied upon to bowl extra overs, something which could be exploited on less helpful wickets in Australia.

And in Giles' absence there is a real weakness at number eight in the batting order - Mahmood averages 6.00 with the bat in one-day internationals.

Likelihood: 8/10

OPTION TWO - SAFETY FIRST

Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell, G Jones, Dalrymple, Mahmood, Hoggard, Harmison

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This option solves the batting problem created by Giles' absence, with Jamie Dalrymple or keeper Geraint Jones at eight.

Dalrymple's county record does not suggest a number six Test bat

Dalrymple's selection for Old Trafford has strengthened speculation he is coach Duncan Fletcher's preferred spinner because of his batting ability.

However, the Middlesex man's county record does not compare to Monty Panesar - he has just 104 first-class wickets at an average of 44.07.

England arguably have even less chance of taking 20 wickets than they did at Lord's, although it is a template they could use to protect a series lead, if they get one.

Likelihood: 7/10

OPTION THREE - SECOND SPINNER

Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell, G Jones, Dalrymple, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar

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If conditions look spin-friendly, England could replace the third seamer with Panesar and use Dalrymple in the Giles role.

Old Trafford could prove an ideal place to try the theory out before similar surfaces in Adelaide for the second Ashes Test and Sydney for the potentially decisive fifth.

Should the pre-match reading of the wicket prove false, though, England would have massive difficulty as the sole pace threat lies with new-ball men Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison.

Likelihood: 5/10

OPTION FOUR - ALEC STEWART METHOD

Trescothick, Strauss, Cook, Pietersen, Collingwood, G Jones, Dalrymple, Mahmood, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar

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This option looks foolish with Geraint Jones in his current rough of form, with 83 runs in his last nine innings.

Jones' trough of form does not help England change tactics

But if England are convinced Jones can produce with the bat, they could use him in the top six, as they did with his predecessor Alec Stewart.

Dalrymple was England's leading run-scorer during a disappointing one-day series whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka last month.

But has a first-class average of 36.60 and it might make more sense to shield him at seven rather than using him as a direct replacement for Flintoff.

Likelihood: 6/10

ENGLAND'S INJURY LIST

Michael Vaughan (knee - out since December 2005)
Ruled out of the Ashes after having surgery for the second time, with a return expected early in 2007.

Andrew Flintoff (ankle - out since June)
Undergoing surgery with a return expected in mid-October.

Ashley Giles (groin/hip - out since November 2005)
Has undergone a second operation and expressed his hopes of being fit for the start of the Ashes.

Simon Jones (ankle and knee - out since August 2005)
Had surgery on his left knee in June and maintains there is "always a possibility" he could go with the squad to Australia.

James Anderson (back - out since April)
Has taken longer than expected to overcome a stress fracture but his club Lancashire hope he will be back in action by season's end.

Liam Plunkett (side)
Has been ruled out of the second and third Tests against Pakistan after he suffered the injury bowling for Durham against West Indies A on Saturday.

Ian Blackwell (back/shoulder - out since April)
Hoping to return to action with Somerset in September after successful shoulder surgery.