Last updated: 4th January 2009
Lee: stress fracture
Australia paceman Brett Lee is facing a race against time to be fit for the summer's Ashes series with England after undergoing surgery on his ankle.
The New South Welshman is expected to be out of action for up to five months after the operation to repair his stress fracture.
Bone fragments were also removed at the back of the ankle and the injury has already weakened Australia's bowling attack currently facing South Africa at The SCG.
It is not the first time the 32-year-old has had problems with his ankle after he missed Australia's 2007 World Cup victory in the Caribbean.
Though team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris hopes to get him back in time for the Twenty20 World Cup in June, ahead of the Ashes series, doubts remain.
"If Brett's rehabilitation programme goes to plan he is expected to be available for selection for Australia for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup later this year," Kountouris said.

All the best images from day four of play between the England Lions and Australia at New Road.
All the action from day one of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle.
All the best images from day three of play between the England Lions and Australia at New Road.
All the best images from day three of play between the England XI and Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
All the best images from day four of play between the England Lions and Australia at New Road.
| Fixture |
|---|
| Saturday 4th July |
| Test Match First Test Match |
| Sri Lanka vs Pakistan |
| Tour Match Four Day Match |
| England Lions vs Australia |
| Varsity Match 1 Day Annual Varsity Match |
| Oxford UCCE vs Cambridge UCCE |
| Sunday 5th July |
| Friends Provident Friends Provident Semi Final |
| Lancashire vs Hampshire |
| Sussex vs Gloucestershire |
| One Day Int Fourth Match |
| West Indies vs India |
| Women's ODI 4th Match |
| England Women vs Australia Women |
| Monday 6th July |
| U-19 Test Series 1st Match |
| England Under 19 vs Bangladesh Under 19 |
| Tuesday 7th July |
| County Championship - Div 1 |
| Warwickshire vs Sussex |
| County Championship - Div 2 |
| Northamptonshire vs Derbyshire |
| Result |
|---|
| Friday 3rd July |
| County Championship - Division One |
| Somerset vs Yorkshire Somerset won by 4 wickets. |
| Nottinghamshire vs Lancashire Match Drawn |
| Durham vs Worcestershire Durham won by 5 wickets. |
| County Championship - Division Two |
| Middlesex vs Surrey Match Drawn |
| Kent vs Gloucestershire Kent won by 76 runs. |
| Derbyshire vs Leicestershire Match Drawn |
| Friendly Match |
| Warwickshire vs England Match Drawn |
| One Day International Series |
| West Indies vs India India won by 6 wickets. (Revised target - Duckworth-Lewis system) |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| England Women vs Australia Women England Women won by 2 wickets. |
| Tuesday 30th June |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| England Women vs Australia Women England Women won by 55 runs. |
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