Victorian cricket coach David Saker wants paceman James Pattinson to show in the next month that he warrants a fairytale Boxing Day Test recall.
As Pattinson admitted to frustration about his managed workload, Saker said it was time for the fast bowler to play without any restrictions.
Victoria host WA from Saturday in a Sheffield Shield final re-match, followed by their return game in Perth from November 27 and then a home game against SA from December 6.
The Bushrangers do not play any more Shield games until early February.
Pattinson is returning from a horror run of injuries and has worked on modifying his bowling action.
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Saker and now Pattinson have admitted to frustration that Cricket Australia wanted the paceman rested from last week's abandoned Shield game against NSW.
Last month, Saker and national coach Darren Lehmann also had a terse public exchange over when the right time would be for Pattinson to make a Test comeback.
"He needs now some continuity playing cricket," Saker said on Friday.
"Everybody concerned needs to see him play two or three Shield games in a row and then can be confident that he can go into a Test match.
"Sometimes we mollycoddle them a little bit and then release them in a Test match, in front of everybody, and expect them to get through two Tests on the bounce.
"That can be tough - if you can't get through Shield games, you're not going to get through too many Tests."
Saker anticipates that if Pattinson proves his readiness, he will play in the West Indies Test series.
And nothing would be sweeter for Pattinson than returning to the Australian team on Boxing Day, at his home ground.
"If he (shows) good enough form, I think the Australian selectors will look at him for Christmas or after Christmas for the West Indies Tests," Saker said.
Pattinson reminded everyone of his considerable talent with a fearsome three-wicket spell in last month's Shield win over Queensland.
Saker said the paceman was relishing his return to full fitness.
"It was funny yesterday - we did some fielding ... it was like letting a puppy dog loose after a while," Saker said.
"He was just running around, enjoying himself."
Saker said he had communicated with Lehmann and national high performance manager Pat Howard about Pattinson.
"It's all fine - we both have James Pattinson's best interests at heart and we just want him to be playing good cricket for Australia and Victoria," Saker said.
"Sometimes are views are different and that's good, it's healthy."
Earlier on Friday, Pattinson said he felt he should have been allowed to play in the NSW match.
"They are trying to nurse me back into it which is a bit frustrating at times, but again I'm pretty happy to be fit at this time of year and playing a bit of cricket," he told SEN radio.
"Hopefully I can just get some continuous cricket.
