Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath must bowl on Thursday if he's to seal his selection in the second Ashes Test against England, which starts on Friday.

McGrath did not train on Wednesday because of an injury to his left heel, which has raised some slight doubt the 36-year-old might not recover in time.

He experienced troubles with his injury during day four of the first Test in Brisbane, which Australia won by 277 runs.

Although Australia is confident McGrath will play, it has Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson on standby.

The home side is likely to retain the same XI from Brisbane provided McGrath is fit.

England is yet to announce whether it will make any changes to the side and is considering playing Monty Panesar alongside fellow left-arm spinner Ashley Giles.

James Anderson is the player most likely to be dropped if Panesar plays.

England will also hold a light training session today, which could be a pointer to which team it selects for the second Test.

That session will be a chance for strike bowler Steve Harmison to gain one more confidence-boosting net session after his first Test shocker.

Rival captains Ricky Ponting and Andrew Flintoff will also hold their pre-match press conferences today.

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