England wait on KP's fitness

England face an anxious wait for medical reports to determine whether key batsman Kevin Pietersen will be fit to withstand another battle with Australia in next week's third Ashes Test.

Monday's historic 115-run victory at Lord's, their first Ashes win at that venue since 1934, established a 1-0 lead in the npower series with three Tests remaining, but has potentially come at a high price.

Hampshire batsman Pietersen struggled throughout that Test win with a recurrence of Achilles problems and remains the biggest concern for England as they prepare to select their squad this weekend for the third Test at Edgbaston.

But England will also check on all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who bowled through the discomfort of a troublesome right knee, while Durham seamer Graham Onions suffered an elbow injury which ruled him out of the attack on the final day at Lord's.

Both Flintoff and Onions are expected to be fit enough to feature at Edgbaston, with their recovery aided by a week's rest, but Pietersen's chances of participating in Birmingham cannot be assured.

"He's been struggling quite badly with that Achilles injury for quite a period of time," said England coach Andy Flower. "It's an uncomfortable injury to have, especially in a Test match.

"You're always on your feet, if you bat for any period of time you're scampering between the wickets and you feel it all the time - there's no getting away from it.

"It does make life a bit uncomfortable for an athlete to have that sort of injury, but he's going to be re-assessed later this week. He's got a couple of people he's going to be talking to and then the experts will make a decision on whether he's OK or not."

Such is the concern about Pietersen's injury, England have ordered him to rest and he will be prevented from playing for Hampshire in Saturday's Friends Provident Trophy final at Lord's against Sussex, who will have wicketkeeper Matt Prior available to strengthen their resources.

England remain hopeful that a week's rest will be enough for Pietersen to take his place at Edgbaston, but with the fourth Test at Headingley following back-to-back his participation must be in doubt.

Despite the importance of Pietersen and Flintoff to the side, particularly after the Lancastrian's match-winning display at Lord's, Flower is determined not to risk either next week if there is any doubt about their fitness.

"Fred obviously had a tough, physical game but chatting to him yesterday afternoon he was very bullish about being ready for the third Test," said Flower.

"With his injury record we have to be a little bit careful about the wear and tear of his body, but he can have a proper rest over the next week and he will also be re-assessed.

"We will listen to him and what he says about his body but we also take medical advice from the experts and we've got to take a very simple decision on whether he, like anyone else, is fit enough to contribute fully in a five-day Test match.

"If he can do that he'll play and if he can't, he'll acknowledge that. He wouldn't want to let the team down. We've got to make decisions on what's best for him and, more importantly, what's best for the side.

"He's a world class performer and if he's out of the side of course that's a blow, but we've got a few fast bowlers waiting in the wings that we know can play international cricket and we know have been successful at this level.

"We want Flintoff in our side but we'll see if his body's up to it - if not there are