Pietersen knee trouble flares ahead of Ashes

England have fresh injury concerns ahead of next week's Ashes series opener, with star batsman Kevin Pietersen sent for treatment on a sore knee following a scare over wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Pietersen would have a cortisone injection, coach Andy Flower said, adding that he hoped the pivotal player would feature in England's final warm-up match against an Invitational XI starting in Sydney on Wednesday. Flower added that he was confident that Pietersen, who put off surgery to play in the series, would be fit for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane starting on November 21. The 33-year-old has been working overtime in the gym to strengthen his knee, which he damaged on England's tour of New Zealand earlier this year. "Kevin has had a slight recurrence of that knee issue, and he'll be going to Melbourne for a scan and a cortisone injection -- so he won't be travelling with the rest of the team," Flower said late Saturday. "I don't think it's going to be a huge issue. He's had a couple of these injections before, and they've been successful." Pietersen later tweeted: "I am fine." Flower said the effects of the cortisone injection lasted for months and there was no concern about Pietersen's condition in the England camp. "I'm working on my legs, hoping they hold up because I've had the knee issue so I've just got to make sure the rehab continues," Pietersen told the England and Wales Cricket Board website. "Because I could break down and I don't want to break down. I want to play the whole series." Pietersen was dismissed for just eight in the rain-ruined match against Australia A in Hobart, which finished on Saturday, after sitting out the tour opener in Perth. Prior will have scans after suffering a calf strain in the drawn four-day match in Hobart. He is unlikely to play in Sydney but England hope the wicketkeeper-batsman will be able to take the gloves in Brisbane. Source: AFP