McGrath likely to miss third Test

McGrath injured his ankle in warm-ups for the second Test

Australia's Glenn McGrath is unlikely to be fit for the third Test against England at Old Trafford on Thursday.

But the 35-year-old, who damaged ankle ligaments when he trod on a ball warming up for the second Test, hopes to play in the rest of the series.

The selectors meet on Monday night and are reportedly considering adding all-rounder Shane Watson to the squad.

"I don't know if Glenn is definitely out but he's unlikely to be fit for the next game," said captain Ricky Ponting.

"He was getting around on crutches for the first couple of days and he is getting around without those now and actually walking quite freely.

"We just hope he keeps improving in the same way as he has been. Realistically we are looking at the fourth Test at Trent Bridge for Glenn."

McGrath was man of the match in the first Test at Lord's, which Australia won by 239 runs thanks to his match figures of 9-83.

Ponting is more optimistic that his fellow opening bowler Brett Lee will recover from a blow on the left hand from Andrew Flintoff during his defiant innings of 43 not out at Birmingham.

He said: "I don't think there are any breaks or anything like that. He should be OK."

Watson, currently playing for Hampshire, was part of the one-day squad that faced England and Bangladesh last month, but he has played just one Test.

Shaun Tait, the other pace bowler in the Test squad, is as yet uncapped at Test level.

But on an Old Trafford surface that has favoured spin in the past, leg-spinner Stuart MacGill could be used in tandem with Shane Warne, who is just one away from an unprecedented 600 for his career.