Australia call for Rogers

Chris Rogers has been added to the squad as a 'shadow player'

Matthew Hayden's team-mates remain confident the opener will play in the third Test against India - but the selectors seem less certain and have called in back-up.

Hayden has struggled with a hamstring complaint since his second-innings century in the controversial second-Test victory in Sydney.

The left-hander looked restricted during training in Perth on Sunday, where the penultimate Test of the series begins on Wednesday.

Selectors have added Chris Rogers as a 'shadow player'. The Western Australian will train with the Australia side in the lead-up to the match and is edging closer to a Test debut.

But Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris insisted 36-year-old Hayden would be given every chance to prove himself able to play against the Indians.

“Matthew has taken part in training today," Kountouris said. "We will continue with the programme on his hamstring and make a decision about Matthew's fitness and availability much closer to game time."

Rogers, 30, was locked in a battle to replace the retired Justin Langer on the eve of the Australian summer.

However, appendicitis and the form of Phil Jaques meant the New South Welshman was preferred.

Rogers was part of an ACT XI that drew their three-day game with India which finished on Saturday, making 60 and 17 at the top of the order.

Australia middle-order batsman Michael Clarke is convinced Hayden will add to his streak of 86 consecutive Tests.

"The type of guy Haydos is, you'd have to chop his leg off to not see him out there this game," Clarke said.

"I'm pretty confident with Alex's magic and Haydos' discipline and the type of person he is, I'm pretty confident we'll get to see Matty Hayden out there."