Stewart fear for England

Stewart remains doubtful for England

4th Test, Melbourne: Australia v England
Match starts 0000 GMT on Boxing Day. Coverage on BBC Radio Four 198LW and Five Live Sports Extra.

England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart remains a doubt for the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne.

Stewart suffered a bruised hand while playing in England's one-day game against Sri Lanka in Perth on Friday.

Stewart batted without problems in the nets on Wednesday, but while keeping wicket to the fast bowlers regularly inspected his injured hand and was clearly in pain.

"If it was a one-day game then I wouldn't have a problem, but in a Test match I might be keeping for 120 overs or more," admitted Stewart.

"If I play then I won't be playing fully fit."

It will be interesting to see how Harmison fares against the Australian batsmen now

England coach Duncan Fletcher

Understudy James Foster will be given a shock Test recall if Stewart is not risked.

Foster has not played any competitive cricket since the drawn match against Australia A in Hobart nearly six weeks ago.

But he was given a thorough workout during Wednesday's net session and a long bat as England considered their options for a Test expected to attract a capacity 70,000 for the opening day.

England were also planning a late check on Alex Tudor to make sure the Surrey fast bowler is ready to return after being hit on the head by a Brett Lee bouncer in the third Test.

"At this stage he is physically fit to play. We've just got to have a look and see if he feels comfortable batting and that his eye is picking up the ball," Fletcher said.

Fletcher refused to consider drafting in Nick Knight or Paul Collingwood from the one-day squad after their encouraging displays with the bat.

But he indicated that paceman Steve Harmison, who impressed against Sri Lanka, was likely to keep his place.

"We played some good cricket against Sri Lanka and it's lifted the side," said Fletcher.

"The bowlers, especially young Harmison, bowled well and it will be interesting to see how he fares against the Australian batsmen now."

Chance for Love

While England should be able to call on Michael Vaughan (shoulder) and John Crawley (hip), Darren Lehmann has been ruled out for Australia.

Queensland's Martin Love will make his debut after Lehmann was ruled out because of a leg infection

Love has scored 781 runs at an average of 130.16 in recent months, including 250 for Queensland and 201 not out for Australia A - both against England.

Profile: Love lets bat do the talking

"You don't wish illness on any player in order to get a game and fingers crossed Darren's going to get well as soon as possible," said Love.

"At this stage I'm just filling in for him for one game."

Lehmann added: "Obviously it's a massive disappointment to miss out on one of the highlights of the cricketing year, the Boxing Day Test, with a full house at the MCG."

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Australia (from): Steve Waugh (capt), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Martin Love, Adam Gilchrist, Stuart MacGill, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Andy Bichel.

England (from): Nasser Hussain (capt), Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, Robert Key, John Crawley, Alec Stewart, Craig White, Ian Blackwell, Richard Dawson, Andrew Caddick, Steve Harmison, Alex Tudor, Matthew Hoggard.