Australia captain Pat Cummins said he will be "good to go" for the third Ashes test after missing the first two with a back injury, in more bad news for struggling England.
The 32-year-old pace spearhead has not played since picking up the issue against the West Indies mid-year.
Selectors flirted with including him for the second test at Brisbane, but erred on the side of caution.
"First of all, yeah, I should be right for Adelaide," Cummins said on Fox Sports, referring to the third test that starts on 17 December.
"I'll have one more bowl (on Sunday), and then we'll go to Adelaide and have another bowl there.
"So, barring any hiccups, I'll be good to go. Body feels great."
Asked how close he was to playing in Brisbane, Cummins said: "Relatively close, really.
"We thought it didn't feel like the right test match to take that risk, so kick it down the road for a week."
Australia have also been without fellow quick Josh Hazlewood for the first two tests and the news from him was less encouraging.
He was back bowling after tweaking a hamstring six days before the opening test in Perth, but reported Achilles soreness this week.
Cricket Australia told local media it was a "low-grade" issue, but it casts further doubt over whether he will play any part in the five-test series.
In Cummins and Hazlewood's absence, Mitchell Starc has led the attack, taking 10 wickets in Australia's crushing eight-wicket win at Perth and another six in England's first innings at Brisbane.
He has been ably supported by Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser.