Stuart Clark to return

Australian paceman Stuart Clark looks certain to return for the crucial third Test match against India in Delhi on Wednesday.

Clark pulled out of the second Test in Mohali due to a right elbow injury and further weakened an already under-strength bowling attack.

The New South Welshman will be a welcome addition to the Aussie bowling line-up which only managed to take 13 wickets in their 320-run loss last week.

Victorian debutant Peter Siddle will most likely make way for Clark as Australia aims to level the series 1-1.

"Stuart has bowled for each of the last three days. He's feeling good and at this stage will be available for selection," Australian team physio Alex Kountouris said.

Meanwhile, Aussie vice-captain Michael Clarke revealed that skipper Ricky Ponting wants his senior players to be more accountable with two Test matches left in the tour and the series teetering precariously heading towards Delhi.

"One thing Ricky certainly spoke to us about is that a little more responsibility needs to go on the senior players, I know when I made my debut here it's hard enough coming to India for the first time, (let alone) playing your first couple (of Test matches)," Clarke said.

"So it's important the expectation gets put on captain, vice-captain, senior players - Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mike Hussey. It is up to us to really stand up with bat or ball."

Australia will have little time to rest following the current four-Test series against India with the first Test of its home summer season against New Zealand commencing on November 20 - just 10 days after the scheduled fifth day of the final Test in Nagpur.

In fact the conclusion of the Aussies' tour of India will mark the beginning of a hectic 12-month schedule for the world champions which includes 13 Tests, 34 one-dayers, seven Twenty20 internationals and the second staging of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in England next June.

However, Clarke insists that he and his team-mates are solely focused on the task of salvaging the Test series against India and aren't concerned with the itinerary that confronts them when they leave the subcontinent.

"There's been a lot of talk about how much cricket we have coming up over the next 12-15 months and I think it's important that we look at what we've got right now, playing India in Delhi, and what's coming before and what's going after is irrelevant," Clarke affirmed.

"I probably have personally (looked too far ahead) yeah, I've looked at what we've got over the next 12-15 months, also trying to plan a wedding in there makes things quite difficult."

"I've certainly learned to make sure you're 100 percent focused on what's in front of you, because if you're not careful ... two Tests are already over so it's important we look at what's in front of us right now."