Australia's injury problems easing

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) Australia's injury problems appear to be easing with fast bowler Brett Lee the only player still in serious doubt for the World Cup.

Five of the 15 players in Australia's World Cup squad are struggling injuries but only Lee is considered to be in danger of missing the tournament.

The paceman has admitted he is only a 50-50 proposition after being sent home from the world champions' short tour of New Zealand when he damaged ankle ligaments during training.

With Australia due to fly to the West Indies next week, Lee will almost certainly be given until the last-minute to prove his fitness, with Stuart Clark on standby as the most likely replacement.

Captain Ricky Ponting (back) and Michael Clarke (hip) also missed the tour of New Zealand but there are no major fears of either batsman missing the World Cup.

All-rounder Andrew Symonds and opening batsman Matthew Hayden will miss Australia's two warmup matches in the Caribbean, against Zimbabwe and England, and possibly the early pool games, but are expected to be ready for the latter stages.

Symonds underwent surgery on his right shoulder but is reportedly making such good progress that he has told his team mates he is ''feeling great'', and Hayden declared himself ready despite breaking his toe during his record-breaking 181 not out against New Zealand on Tuesday.

Hayden visited a specialist yesterday and told reporters the injury had stabilised, adding that he was confident of being ready for Australia's first pool game against Scotland on March 14.

''There is nothing structurally wrong except for the fracture.

We will review things on Monday but in terms of a break, it's as good as it gets,'' Hayden told The Australian newspaper.

''We've had a few injury scares but come those big, important games of the year, we will be right up for them.'' REUTERS PDS RN0649