The Lancashire player had tissue removed from the joint in what was described as a routine operation.

"Andrew Flintoff on Saturday underwent an exploratory arthroscopy on his injured left ankle," said an ECB statement.

"Early signs are that the operation was routine, and Andrew will begin his rehabilitation accordingly following successful removal of tissue contributing to anterior impingement in the ankle."

No timescale has been put on his return to action, although initial suggestions were that the 29-year-old could perhaps hope for a return in time for a three-match Test series against India, starting next month.

Flintoff had to miss the first two Tests against West Indies and was ruled out of the remainder of that four-match series when it was announced just this week he would have to have a third bout of surgery on his ankle.

Meanwhile, former England coach David Lloyd allayed fears for Flintoff's future in the game and said he will bounce back despite being ruled out of the current Test series against West Indies.

But Lloyd, Flintoff's former Lancashire coach and now a Sky Sports commentator, believes he has the drive and determination to return and perform in with bat, ball and in the field.

"I don't think he's changed at all from when I first met him as a teenager -- he's always been very determined," said Lloyd, who signed Flintoff for Lancashire back in 1994.

"I think he'll be fine. He has got an injury that is just lingering and I think he'll come back as an all-rounder because that's what he is.

"People say he's a bowler who bats a bit these days, but that's rubbish -- he's an all-rounder. I'm sure he'll want to come back and be in the game all the time.

"He wants to bowl, he wants to bat, he wants to field, he wants to be involved at every opportunity and I don't think he would want to have just one aspect of the game to concentrate on."

Flintoff made a successful return from an ankle injury in 2005, becoming man of the series during England's triumphant Ashes series and Lloyd is expecting a similar response this time.

"When he's come back before, he's always come back faster and fitter than before and I've no doubt that will happen this time, it's just that this injury is lingering a bit," he said.