Tudor doubt for Melbourne

Tudor had to be carried off on a stretcher

England fast bowler Alex Tudor has admitted he may not be fit for the fourth Ashes Test, which starts on Boxing Day.

Tudor's vision is still not back to normal after he was hit on the head by a Brett Lee bouncer during the third Test in Perth.

Although he was wearing a protective helmet, the impact still cut Tudor's head and caused swelling around his left eye which left him looking like a boxer.

"The bruising has gone down, but my eye is still quite bloodshot. The vision in my left eye is still not that great and the doctor has advised me not to rush it," he told Cricket365.

"There is a chance I might not be ready for the next Test."

Lee disturbed by Tudor injury

If Tudor is ruled out, it would leave England with only three seam bowlers in their official Test squad - Andy Caddick, Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard.

They have already sent Simon Jones, Darren Gough and Chris Silverwood home because of injuries, and Caddick has also had problems with his back and knee on tour.

Tudor was left battered and bruised

Tudor added: "I am hoping the eye will improve but things are still quite blurry. I was hit pretty hard, but I can do everything else apart from bat at the moment."

England will definitely be without spin bowler Ashley Giles in Melbourne after he confirmed that his fractured wrist was not healing quickly enough for their to be any point in him returning to Australia.

Giles out of Ashes Tests

Giles suffered the injury when he was hit in the nets by a ball from Harmison, one of a series of misfortunes which have dogged England during the tour.

Australia have already retained the Ashes by winning the first three Ashes Tests and are now aiming for a 5-0 clean sweep, a feat they have not achieved since 1920-21.