Lyon, 38, bowled only two overs in the first Test then was left out of the second.

When he returned to the Australia team for the third Test, he took five wickets in the match before suffering the injury to his right hamstring making a diving stop on the boundary.

It is the second time Lyon has been ruled out of an Ashes series – he suffered a calf problem in the second Test at Lord’s in 2023.

“He’s pretty shattered,” said McDonald. “He’ll be back around the team tomorrow and will be present at the Test match. He’s facing a long recovery.”

Smith’s return will mean a further rejig in the Australia batting line-up after Usman Khawaja was left out for the third Test, then recalled on the morning of the game when Smith was ruled out.

Left-hander Khawaja made scores of 82 and 40 in Adelaide and now seems likely to be retained, probably at the expense of Josh Inglis. Khawaja would bat at number five, wicketkeeper Alex Carey at six and all-rounder Cameron Green at number seven.

England trained at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday and look set to make at least two changes for the Boxing Day Test.

Jacob Bethell could come in for Ollie Pope at number three, while pace bowler Brydon Carse seems likely to be left out in favour of Gus Atkinson or Matthew Potts.