ANDREW FLINTOFF believes Yorkshire’s Tim Bresnan is the man who can take his mantle as England’s Ashes-winning all-rounder.

Such praise may not be typical from a Lancashire player to a Roses rival, but Flintoff sees enough of himself in Bresnan to predict big things for him.

Flintoff, 32, has not played at any level since the concluding game of last summer’s Ashes series, his final Test match before an injuryenforced retirement, and is currently on the comeback trail.

He is around a fortnight away from a potential outing with Lancashire seconds, though he will initially play exclusively as a batsman.

Should that go well, he has his sights set on the Twenty20 Champions League with Chennai Super Kings, not to mention his continued availability for limited-overs internationals should form and fitness allow.

In the mean-time he has been delighted to see the emergence of Bresnan, a whole-hearted seamer and powerful hitter from the Flintoff mould.

‘‘I think in every department, the England side is very well stocked,’’ Flintoff said.

‘‘Be it batters, seamers, keepers, spinners...we’re in great shape, but the one person I’ve loved to see progress is Tim Bresnan.

‘‘As an all-rounder myself it’s good to have seen him come into the side. I’ve played against him a number of years, watched him progress and I think we’re about to see the best of Bressie.’’ Bresnan, 25, earned rave reviews from England team director Andy Flower for his performance as a stand-in in Bangladesh earlier this year but has struggled for wickets in his recent one-day outings against Australia and the Tigers.

Nevertheless, Flintoff believes he can offer England’s side the right balance between bat and ball that could see them retain the Ashes Down Under.

Another man Flintoff feels could aid the Ashes bid is his old friend Steve Harmison.

The Durham paceman, like Flintoff, has not played for his country since the Ashes win at The Oval last year but, unlike his former team-mate, that has been as a result of selection decisions rather than injury or retirement.

‘‘I think they should get him in there, get Harmy in,’’ said Flintoff.

‘‘The good thing about England is the competition for places but Harmy should be right in the mix.”