Brett Lee looks ready to play in the third Ashes Test against England while Glenn McGrath has given himself an outside chance of leading Australia's pace attack at Old Trafford.

Both Lee and McGrath bowled off a short run at training on Wednesday, sending several thunderbolts into the baseball glove of Australian selector Merv Hughes, who kept to the pair on the ground's centre wicket.

Lee has overcome an infected left knee and should play, despite spending two nights in a Birmingham hospital where he was hooked up to a drip of antibiotics.

Lee and McGrath went through their paces under the watchful eye of Australian team physiotherapist Erroll Alcott, who will examine the quicks following the training session.

His review will be crucial as to whether either of the pair take part in the third Test of an absorbing five-match series, which is tied at 1-all.

Even if McGrath doesn't play, the 35-year-old has again proven his ability to recover quickly from injuries as he is training less than a week after he damaged ankle ligaments.

Lee said: "The knee is certainly feeling better and I'm relieved that the treatment has taken full effect.

"Obviously it's been a frustrating few days - not the ideal preparation for an important Test, but I'm confident now that the problem has been solved."

Lee's fitness is the crucial factor in what sort of attack Australia deploys against resurgent England, which won a gripping Test at Edgbaston.

Should he be passed fit, Australia is likely to stick with a conventional bowling attack comprising three quicks and legspinner Shane Warne, as the rock-hard Old Trafford wicket is expected to defy the norm and favour quicks over spinners.

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