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Melbourne: Australia are hopeful that captain Ricky Ponting will overcome an elbow injury in time to play in the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the MCG.
Ponting suffered the injury on day one of the third Test against West Indies on 16 December and has been having intensive treatment since then.
He has yet to bat in the nets but took part in fielding drills on Wednesday without any after-effects.
Australia have called up opener Phillip Hughes as cover in a 13-man squad.
Vice-captain Michael Clarke is on standby to captain his first Test, but wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said he was confident Ponting would lead the team out on Saturday.
"I don't think he will have a bat until the next couple of days but he moved pretty well in the field," said Haddin.
"Ricky Ponting is a very tough character, he is our leader so we are planning on him being around and hope he is ready for Boxing Day.
"He has got a phenomenal record in Boxing Day Test matches and big Test matches in general and it doesn't get much bigger than Boxing Day."
Fast bowler Peter Siddle looks to have recovered from the hamstring injury which caused him to miss out as Australia sealed a 2-0 series win against the Windies.
He could take the place of Clint McKay, who took one wicket in his Test debut in the third Test.
However, Ben Hilfenhaus is not yet ready to return because of a knee problem and also remains a doubt for the second Test in Sydney.
