The left arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson appears certain to return to the Australian side for the third Ashes cricket test against England, having been ordered to miss a domestic Sheffield Shield match due to start on Friday.
Australia must make at least one forced change for the Perth test with, opening batsman Simon Katich out of the series with an achilles injury.
But as many as four changes could be made, with spinner Xavier Doherty, batsman Marcus North and fast bowlers Doug Bollinger and Peter Siddle all under pressure following poor performances in the innings loss to England in Adelaide.
Fast bowler Ryan Harris has been cleared to play after injuring his shoulder in the test.
