Australian captain Steve Waugh, injured while running a single during the tourists' victory in the Third Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, has said that he may leave England before the end of the series if he believes he has become a "nuisance" to his team-mates.

Waugh, who has a double calf muscle tear, confirmed that he is out of contention for the Fourth Test at Headingley next week, although he is still hoping to be back for the fifth and final Test at the Oval. However, the odds are against him playing again on this tour, as the Australian physio, Errol Alcott, has prescribed seven to ten days' treatment for an injury that usually takes at least a month to heal.

In his absence, vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, scourge of England with bat and gloves, is likely to be promoted to lead the side, and Waugh is keen not to be in the way: "If I am being a nuisance or do not get any value in hanging around then I will decide to go home. Ten days of treatment is the best remedy, and if I feel like I am getting in the road of the new captain or vice-captain then I will go. If I was staying here it would have to have a purpose. You have to be fair to the new captain and give him some space."

One reason for Waugh staying in this country would be to receive the Waterford Crystal replica of the Ashes, presented to the winning team after the final Test and which recently has taken up long-term residence in Australia.

Waugh will also have to wait until he is well enough to fly home if he should choose to leave the tour early: "If I go home it is going to be difficult. First of all I have got to fly and then I have to see the physio every day."

And even for a captain whose side have retained the Ashes and are the best Test and one-day side in the world, life still has its challenges: "I have to get to the physio - then I am going to be running around trying to chase the kids."

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