(BBC) England batsman Kevin Pietersen is likely to be fit for the one-day series and Test matches against South Africa as he recovers from an Achilles injury.
The 29-year-old, however, will not fly out with the England squad today as he completes his rehabilitation.
Coach Andy Flower said: “He’s still got work to do to get back up to speed, but hopefully he’ll be ready to go for the start of the one-day series.
“He is chomping at the bit to get going and he is an important player for us.”
Pietersen has not played since the second Ashes Test against Australia in the summer after having surgery on his Achilles injury.
The South African-born batsman suffered an infection that slowed down his recovery, but he batted for the first time in three months at a training session at Lord’s yesterday and will fly out on 9 November.
Flower added: “Hopefully he’ll be OK to play in the warm-up game against South Africa A on 17 November and then ready to go at the start of the one-day series.
“That is what we are targeting. The infection has slowed everything up otherwise he would have been back during the English summer.
“But he brings a superb record, flair, confidence and the ability to counter attack.
“The fact that we won the Ashes with limited contributions from the two big stars (Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff) is a good thing for the unit and the country’s cricket and when they come back that adds strength and power. That’s a good thing.
“Pietersen has been pushing himself running. He’ll just love getting a bat in his hands again and hitting the ball. That’s what he loves doing.
“He’s a world-class player who has a special talent and a special confidence. He is a huge boon for us.”
Pietersen was given a hard time by spectators on his last visit to his native South Africa in an England shirt, but Flower believes he has since won over his critics.
“This time he will probably have the respect from the South African public,” he said. “They love sport and cricket and I expect they will treat him with respect.”
