 All-rounder Flintoff had a third ankle operation in June |
He has had further scans to assess the injury and is waiting for the results before deciding what action to take.
Flintoff, 29, had a third operation in June in a bid to get himself fully fit but is still in pain when he bowls.
England will not risk Flintoff, who had hoped to play in December's Test series in Sri Lanka, until he is 100% right.
"We would love to have him in the squad but we won't risk Andrew in the Test matches," said coach Peter Moores.
England's second tour of the winter will see them leave for New Zealand on 28 January for two Twenty20 games, five one-day internationals and three Test matches.
That series is likely to be a more realistic proposition for Flintoff, according to BBC 5Live cricket correspondent Pat Murphy.
"Flintoff's England career is not on the line yet," said Murphy.
"The main thing is to give him time and let nature deal with the healing process while medical options are considered, under the guidance of the ECB's chief medical officer Nick Peirce.
"Peirce went to Amsterdam with Flintoff last week to see an ankle specialist as information on Flintoff's chronic ankle condition continues to be gathered.
"That will take some time before a definitive conclusion can be drawn.
"So, Flintoff cannot realistically be considered for England duty for the rest of this year.
"An optimistic forecast is that he will be fit for the Test series in New Zealand starting in five months time."
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