Ricky Ponting has given his strongest hint yet that Andrew Symonds' Test exile will be over when selectors name their Ashes squad tomorrow.
The controversial all-rounder has endured a string of off-field dramas and injury problems over the past 12 months, fuelling speculation the 33-year-old will be overlooked for the highly anticipated series.
But Ponting, a staunch supporter of Symonds in recent years, believes selectors will find room for the burly Queenslander in their 16-man squad.
"I wouldn't be surprised (if he's named)," he said of Symonds' selection hopes.
"He's had his share of battles over the last 12 months, obviously the well documented stuff off the field, and he's worked his way back into domestic cricket pretty well and played well for us over in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
"He's a great guy to have around the team there's no doubt about that and obviously the selectors are going to have some tough decisions to make in the coming hours."
Ponting also indicated pacemen Brett Lee and Stuart Clark are likely to win recalls after missing the Australian summer through injury.
Speaking at a Sydney primary school today, the skipper insisted he has not yet seen the full squad chosen by Andrew Hilditch, David Boon and Merv Hughes, but stressed the importance of striking a balance between experience and youth.
"With Stuart Clark and Brett (Lee) more than likely coming back into our squad, (Ben) Hilfenhaus, (Peter) Siddle and (Mitchell) Johnson did an amazing job for us over in South Africa so there are going to be some tough calls to be made there somewhere u2014 luckily I'm not a selector I guess," he said.
Quizzed further on the make-up of the squad, the captain insisted he's unsure if selectors will opt to load the squad with extra batsmen or all-rounders.
"Having spoken to Andrew Hilditch a fair bit over the last couple of weeks, there were some tough calls to make around all-rounders and obviously around spinners as well," he said.
"Obviously the cards were laid on the table the other day with the spinners not getting contracted so that's one that's probably going to look after itself.
"Which ever way we go, whether it's all-rounders or spare batters - or specialist batters - we're going to have all bases covered.
"To tell the truth which ever way we go we'll have a very strong squad and ... spots (will be) up for grabs when we get over there."

Winning comeback for Sharapova

Ricky Ponting has given his strongest hint yet that Andrew Symonds' Test exile will be over when selectors name their Ashes squad tomorrow.

Ponting backs Symonds for Ashes selection

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Ponting backs Symonds for Ashes selection

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