Just when they thought that their deliberations could end yesterday, the new England selection panel was forced into further conflab as Paul Collingwood had an injection on an injured right shoulder. He is not thought to be a doubt for the first npower Test against New Zealand - at least on fitness grounds – but the development has a knock-on effect on the return or otherwise of Andrew Flintoff.

The idea of Flintoff being recalled in a four-man frontline bowling attack on Thursday has a certain merit, as long as Collingwood, who has also been receiving treatment for a stiff lower back, can chip in with a dozen overs of tight medium pace. If not, the extra burden on Flintoff, who must be used strictly as a strike weapon, will surely become too great to contemplate.

It would be an unhappy situation if Flintoff misses out because a teammate is carrying a niggle when all the evidence suggests that he is back to full fitness himself. Some would describe that as double standards. A decision would be easier if Flintoff had time at the crease behind him, in which case he would make a straight swap for Collingwood in the No 6 position.

An England team spokesman said that Collingwood’s fitness will be monitored over the next 48 hours. Ravi Bopara is a plausible like-for-like alternative as a frontline batsman capable of breaking the odd partnership and Matt Prior may also be on standby after Tim Ambrose failed to take the field for Warwickshire away to Derbyshire yesterday because of a stiff neck.

Flintoff has scored 68 runs in seven innings, including three successive Championship ducks, but Collingwood, with 32 runs in five innings in all cricket, is not in much form either. Andrew Strauss is cemented in a place as an opening batsman because Michael Vaughan wants to bat at No 3, leaving Collingwood rather than Ian Bell as the most vulnerable of the specialist batsmen even before his latest shoulder trouble.

A team of five batting specialists would see Ambrose promoted to No 6 with Flintoff at No 7, allowing Stuart Broad and James Anderson to continue alongside Ryan Sidebottom, as they did in the two Test wins in New Zealand recently. Matthew Hoggard has made a reasonable if not compelling case to be recalled, but for now, given that Flintoff is where he is, the shape looks bottom heavy.

Collingwood made himself a hostage to fortune on Thursday by agreeing in advance to give a press conference promoting the second Test at Old Trafford. Flintoff then scythed through the Durham top order, Collingwood included, so that one question was sure to dominate. He covered himself by noting Flintoff’s pace and hostility but suggesting that a comeback should not be rushed.

Stuart Law, the Lancashire captain, was less equivocal. “That was the best working-over of a world-class batsman I have seen for a long time,” he said. “Collingwood is a good player but Flintoff made him look second rate. It is a no-brainer – you have to pick him. People are saying he has not scored enough runs, well bat him at No 11 then. It may be the kick up the a*** he needs.”

Geoff Miller, the national selector, was expected to speak to Flintoff at Old Trafford yesterday having been at Trent Bridge for a six-hour selection meeting on Wednesday and then at the Lions game against the New Zealanders a day later. Demands of television and sponsors mean that Miller must return to Trent Bridge tomorrow to make the announcement; the series trophy has already been delivered to the ground as a prop.

New Zealand will find out more about their own injury concern today when Daniel Vettori, the captain, has the two stitches removed from his left index finger. He was out in the middle at the Rose Bowl before play yesterday to work through his action without delivering the ball. Even if he decides to lead the side, he will be unable to apply a full rip off the digit.

Experts’ choice

Times writers select their England XIs for the first npower Test

Mike Atherton Cook, Strauss, Vaughan, Pietersen, Bell, Collingwood, Ambrose, Broad, Hoggard, Sidebottom, Panesar

Christopher Martin-Jenkins Strauss, Cook, Vaughan, Pietersen, Bell, Collingwood, Flintoff, Ambrose, Broad, Sidebottom, Panesar

Richard Hobson Cook, Strauss, Vaughan, Pietersen, Bell, Collingwood/Bopara, Ambrose, Flintoff, Broad, Panesar, Sidebottom

Explore Cricket

• Counties