Veteran batsman Shaun Marsh insists his back will be fully healed in time for Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka, but he faces an uphill battle to find a spot in the final XI.
Marsh was named as part of Australia's 15-man squad on Tuesday for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on July 26.
A back injury cut short Marsh's recent IPL campaign, but he's confident he'll be 100 per cent fit in time for the upcoming tour.
However, Marsh may need to rely on an injury to someone else if he is to squeeze his way into the final batting line-up.
Joe Burns cemented his spot at the top of the order with scores of 170 and 65 in his last Test for Australia, while Usman Khawaja's sizzling last summer has him ahead of Marsh in the pecking order.
It's an unlucky situation for Marsh, who hasn't been able to squeeze his way back into the side since scoring 182 in his last Test - against the West Indies five months ago.
Marsh and his wife Rebecca are expecting their first child in the coming weeks, and the 32-year-old batsman will use that time to overcome his back injury.
"My back's getting better. I wouldn't say it's 100 per cent yet, but I've got a bit of time up my sleeve now to get it right," Marsh said.
"It's just one of those things. I've been really good over the last couple of years with my injuries.
"My body's fine. I've had a little hiccup over the last few weeks, but I'll be ready to go by July."
Marsh has been joined in the Test squad by fellow West Australians Adam Voges, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mitch Marsh.
Coulter-Nile was plagued by shoulder issues last summer, and Marsh hopes the 28-year-old all-rounder gets his chance to shine in Sri Lanka.
"Over there reverse swing will probably come into play at some stage, and he's one of the best at it," Marsh said.
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