Australia are hopeful Usman Khawaja will be available for the start of the home summer despite the batsman tearing the meniscus in his left knee during the second Test against Pakistan.
Khawaja did not bat on day four in Abu Dhabi as Australia slumped to a crushing 373-run defeat which clinched a 1-0 series victory for Pakistan.
The in-form strokemaker had failed to take the field the previous day after twisting his left knee awkwardly during a throwing drill in the warm-up.
Scans allayed fears Khawaja may have suffered further damage to the anterior cruciate ligament he tore in the same knee in 2014.
But he is still likely to require surgery and faces being sidelined for up to six weeks, leaving him in doubt for the first Test against India in Adelaide starting December 6.
Skipper Tim Paine said Australia would be desperate to retain Khawaja, who was named man of the match in Dubai after spearheading a remarkable fightback in the drawn first Test.
"I think he'll be available, I'm not totally sure," Paine said.
"He'll go back to Australia and see a specialist but fingers crossed he could be a four to six week injury. Clearly we'll be doing everything we can to get him up."
Khawaja will see a knee surgeon and consider his options upon returning to Australia.
Australia can ill-afford to lose Khawaja, who has become the most senior batsman in a heavily-depleted top six following the suspensions handed to Steve Smith and David Warner.
The injury is shocking timing for the left-hander, who defied his doubters to post scores of 141 and 85 and spearhead Australia's remarkable comeback in Dubai.
"He was a shining light on this tour," Paine said.
"He had some question marks over his ability in these conditions and I thought the way he played in the first Test was outstanding.
"We hope he doesn't miss too much time because he's in such a good place with his batting."
A six-week recovery time frame would give Khawaja some hope of playing in the final Sheffield Shield round before the Adelaide Test starting on November 27.
"It's so frustrating for all concerned, especially Usman because he's playing so well," Test great Mark Waugh said on Fox Sports.
"It's a huge blow for both Usman and Australia. It's much worse than we thought it would be."
