Spinner Nathan Lyon is a doubt for the remainder of the series after suffering a hamstring injury as Australia completed victory over England in the third Test.
Lyon, 38, who became Australia’s second highest Test wicket-taker during the Adelaide Test, was injured diving in the field on the final day before the hosts sealed a win that secured them the series.
He clutched his right hamstring, left the field immediately and did not play any further part.
Lyon took two wickets in the first innings in Adelaide and three in the second, having played a bit-part in the first two Tests of the series.
After bowling only two overs in the first Test of this series, he said he felt “filthy” after being left out of the second in Brisbane.
There are just five days before the fourth Test begins in Melbourne on 26 December (23:30 GMT, 25 December), leaving Lyon with little time to recover.
The final Test in Sydney follows five days after the fourth has finished.
Lyon, one of the greatest spinners of all time, suffered a calf injury during the second Test of the 2023 Ashes, which was a significant factor in England recovering to draw the series 2-2.
There is no threat of an equivalent England comeback this time but Lyon’s absence, which would likely mean an inexperienced spinner being called up in his place, would hurt their chances of securing a 5-0 scoreline.