BRISBANE - Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has been hospitalised with an infected elbow just three days before the opening Ashes cricket Test at the Gabba.

Gilchrist was today hooked up to an intravenous antibiotic drip and will remain in St Andrew's Hospital in Brisbane until tomorrow.

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said the treatment was precautionary and Gilchrist was still expected to be fit for the first Test against England starting on Thursday.

"It's a hot swollen, very tender elbow and it hurts a little bit to move it," Alcott said as the Australians trained at the Gabba.

"So we figure rather than being down here and landing on it and aggravating it and exciting the inflammation we'll put him on bed rest and some antibiotic treatment.

"We're confident he'll be back on deck shortly, we're planning to leave him overnight and review him tomorrow around mid-morning and see how we go from there."

Alcott said at this stage no replacement had been called for.

Gilchrist noticed tenderness around his right elbow on Saturday and the area become more troublesome yesterday when he joined teammates in Brisbane.

"It's frustrating not being able to train straight away and interrupt the build up to the Test match but I'm working on the basis this is a frustration and nothing more," he said.

"I'm keen to get back on deck as soon as possible and my expectation at this stage is that I will be fully fit and ready to play in the Test match come Thursday morning."

Australia now has two injury problems leading into the Test with pace bowler Jason Gillespie battling a calf strain.

Gillespie trained lightly in the nets today and will have an extended workout tomorrow.

Alcott said Gillespie had felt "a bit stiff" from his 10 overs for South Australia in Saturday's ING Cup match against NSW in Adelaide.

"Tomorrow we'll have a good session and we'll review him then," said Alcott, who rated Gillespie's chances of playing as "pretty good".

Gillespie's inclusion would leave selectors a difficult choice between Brett Lee and Andy Bichel to be 12th man for the first Test.

Former Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes believes Lee should retain his Test spot because English batsmen are scared of the paceman.

"If you have a look at Brett Lee at the Gabba, when he comes in to bowl the crowd just lifts and if you watch the English batsmen they just seem a little bit more nervous," said Hughes.

"He's there for the fear factor."

Australia's other matter to sort out this week is some changes to fielding positions.

Mark Waugh's retirement from international cricket means a new second slip will have to be found with Ricky Ponting or Damien Martyn favoured for the job.

Australia may also be looking for another candidate to field at short leg with Justin Langer reportedly wanting a change due to medical advice after five blows to the head in the past 12 months.

"Hopefully my prowess in the gully could perhaps have me overlooked for that position," said Langer's close friend and opening partner Matthew Hayden.

"I guess the versatility shows that most of the side can field anywhere though."

Late today it looked as if Darren Lehmann, recalled to the Test side to replace Mark Waugh, could be asked to take over from Langer in the bat-pad catching position

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.