England all rounder Andrew Flintoff has been withdrawn from the one-day international series against South Africa to undergo surgery on a long-standing ankle injury.

The England and Wales Cricket Board replaced him with seamer Matthew Hoggard on Tuesday for the seven-match one-day series starting on Sunday.

"Flintoff will return home tomorrow (Wednesday) to see a specialist to confirm an early date for surgery," England media manager David Clarke told reporters.

"Hoggard will remain on tour to play in the one-day series."

The 27-year-old Flintoff, named by the International Cricket Council as the world's leading one-day player last year, has been plagued by a bone spur in his left ankle for a couple of seasons. He has received cortisone injections to alleviate the problem.

Clarke said fast bowler Simon Jones, who was also not in the original one-day squad, would remain in South Africa as cover for Stephen Harmison, who has an injured left calf.

"We're looking for Jones to play a full part in the one-day squad," Clarke added.

The five-match Test series between South Africa and England was due to end on Tuesday in Centurion, with England 2-1 ahead and on the brink of their first series success in South Africa since 1964-5.

Flintoff has played 40 one-dayers for England and is key to the side's balance. Hoggard has had a superb Test series against South Africa but has not been part of the England one-day set up for two years. He played the last of his 20 one-dayers against Australia in Sydney on January 23, 2003.