London, September 03: England team director Andy Flower expects Kevin Pietersen to be fit for the tour of South Africa.
Pietersen was forced out of the Ashes series after the second Test due to an Achilles injury which required surgery, and his recovery was delayed by an infection in the scar tissue.
“He is still struggling a little with that wound in his Achilles,” said Flower.
“I spoke to him yesterday but I think we are confident in saying he will be back for South Africa.”
Pietersen was forced to look on as England reclaimed the Ashes without him and Flower admits the batsman had to be philosophical about his absence.
“Sometimes you never know what is good or bad luck,” Flower told Sky Sports News. “Kevin and I spoke about that and he is using this as an opportunity to get some time away from the game.
“It is enforced time away and he didn’t want it and we didn’t want it, but since it’s there and there is nothing anyone can do about it, I think he has got to make the most of it.
“I think that is what he is doing. He is spending time with his family and his wife and getting a break from the international game.”
England arrive in South Africa on November 1 for a two-and-a-half-month tour that will see them play two Twenty20 internationals, five one-day internationals and four Tests.
—–Agencies