London, July 26 : Injured England captain Nasser Hussain could play in the upcoming third Test against Australia without having had any any match practice for three weeks.

Hussain, 33, was ruled out Thursday of Essex's county championship match away to Northamptonshire starting Friday.

The middle-order batsman broke his left little finger during the first Test defeat by Australia at Edgbaston and so missed the recent eight wicket second Test reverse at Lord's.

He had hoped to play for Essex and give himself important match practice ahead of joining the team at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Tuesday. The third Test starts there on Thursday.

England name their squad on Sunday and Hussain is expected to be included, a battle weary home side desperate for their inspirational captain and a proven performer against Australia to return.

"It's going to take time," said Essex coach and former England captain Keith Fletcher, speaking Thursday to BBC online. "At the moment he's not fit, he's not even fit enough to put on a glove."

There is no chance of Hussain even playing in a second XI fixture and a final decision on his fitness is set to be taken on Tuesday.

In the event that Hussain is still unfit former captain Michael Atherton, who stood in at Lord's, could be asked to deputise again.

Alternatively, Somerset batsman Marcus Trescothick may take over if the selectors are looking to the future.

Hussain's condition is one of a number of fitness problems confronting England.

Left-arm spinner Ashley Giles is also an uncertain starter for Trent Bridge as he continues to be plagued by a longstanding Achilles injury.

He may yet have surgery within the next two weeks.

Definitely missing is key middle order batsman Graham Thorpe who had his right hand broken by Australia fast bowler Brett Lee at Lord's.

England have never won the Ashes from 2-0 behind and anything less than victory at Trent Brige would see Australia retain them in this five match series.