LANCASHIRE are hoping Andrew Flintoff's decision to stay at Old Trafford will be the key to keeping their whole squad intact.

New deals still have to be concluded with half a dozen Red Rose players, some of whom were waiting for the Flintoff saga to end before signing their own contracts.

The situation was becoming delicate with the club insisting that negotiations with all their squad had to be completed before the end of the month. But Flintoff's decision will ease the headaches.

The 21-year-old powerhouse has agreed to stay for at least another year with an option of an extra three years, which will give him and the county the chance to see how the introduction of England central contracts will affect things next season.

Flintoff said: "I'm glad everything has been settled before the tour and I can really concentrate on getting back into the Test side. Lancashire is my club and I'm delighted that I will be here next season." Chief executive Jim Cumbes, who has spearheaded the bid to keep Flintoff, said: "There has been a fair amount of negotiation but what really helped is that Flintoff and his agent Andrew Chandler were keen to ensure that he could continue his career with Lancashire."

It is also possible that Flintoff's decision will strengthen Neil Fairbrother's chances of taking over as player-coach. They have worked closely in the past two years, and Fairbrother will be shortlisted for the job, although it has been advertised and Lancashire expect applications from some of the game's big names.

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