Australian wicketkeeper Tim Paine is yet to join Test teammates in Melbourne due to personal reasons.
Australia's 13-man Test squad assembled in Melbourne on Friday, with Paine the notable exception after his father-in law had a stroke.
The Tasmanian has remained in Hobart to support his family. Cricket Australia says an update on Paine's travel plans will be provided in due course.
If Paine remains at home and is unavailable for the fourth Ashes Test, which starts on Tuesday, selectors have several options to consider.
Dumped batsman Peter Handscomb could potentially play as a keeper, while Cameron Bancroft was behind the stumps for Western Australia during the start of the Sheffield Shield season.
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South Australia's Alex Carey, billed as an Ashes bolter in November and since posting his maiden Shield century, is among the contenders who could be drafted in for a one-off Test.
Paine has been one of the national selectors' great success stories this summer.
The 33-year-old was a left-field selection in the Ashes squad for the first Test, having contemplated retirement after struggling the previous summer to get a game for Tasmania.
Paine has since cemented his spot in the Test XI, impressing with bat and gloves to a point where he appears an automatic selection for the ensuing Test tour of South Africa.
Legendary wicketkeeper Ian Healy says Paine could be a long-term gloveman for Australia.
"He can do it more than two or three years because he's such a late starter and he's a fit-looking thing," Healy told Fairfax Media.
"I'm thinking he's got it four to five years, as long as his enthusiasm's there. He hasn't had it since he was 25 so he might make every post a winner.
"Tim Paine could definitely handle the one-day job as well."
