'Injured' Prior says fitness 'touch and go' for Gabba Test

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has said that it would be 'touch and go' as to whether he would be fit in time for the start of the winter Ashes series on Thursday in Brisbane, although he is still optimistic that he would be okay.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Prior believes that to recover from his injury in a short space of time and be in a position to play five days would require a good effort as it was a decent tear of his calf, adding that he does not want to come back too early, tear the muscle again and be out for a long time.

Stating that he needs to weigh up the risk of playing against doing more damage, Prior also said that he would know if he is going to make it 24 hours before the match starts, adding that he needs to be able to train at 100 per cent on the day before the match to realistically have any chance of playing.

According to Prior, the keeper's role is physically very demanding as he needs to be in the match constantly and has a responsibility to make sure that he can play for five days, although he expressed optimism over the situation as he has never missed a game for England over a fitness problem and has played 57 consecutive Tests.

However, Prior mentioned that he has done everything possible to make himself fit for the Gabba Test, including using the ice machine, acupuncture, physiotherapy, adding that he has also worked closely with the England and Wales Cricket Board nutritionist, and had an eight-week programme to follow at home, eating clean home-cooked food.