SYDNEY, Feb 16: Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has rated his chances of playing at next month's World Cup at only ‘50-50’ as he battles to recover from serious ankle ligament damage.

Cricket Australia issued a statement on Friday saying the key paceman's availability for the Caribbean will not be known for at least a week, but that he does not need surgery.

“The good news is that I don't need an operation, I don't need any screws in the bones which is positive,” said Lee, who arrived home from New Zealand after injuring his left ankle training for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series.

“At the moment probably all I can say is that I'm 50-50 for the World Cup so fingers crossed.

“I'll have to reassess in about a week. I need my doctor to talk to (team physiotherapist) Alex Kountouris over in New Zealand so I'll know a lot more then.”

Kountouris said in the statement that Lee has suffered serious ligament damage in his left ankle.

“He was seen by an orthopaedic surgeon who decided that he does not require surgery and will be initially managed with crutches and a brace,” Kountouris said.

“The surgeon will review him in a week's time and assess his prospects of playing in the World Cup.

“It is difficult to put an exact time on his recovery at this early stage.

This should become clearer in the next 7-10 days.”

Lee said he feared for the worst when he first went down on the ankle but was relieved not to need an operation.

“When I went down I heard a crack in my ankle and things weren't looking good,” he said.

“After consulting with the doctor today I am more positive, but it's too hard to say what the outcome will be.

“I'll be doing everything I can to make sure I have a chance of playing at the World Cup.

“As a fast bowler I have had stress fractures in my back and ankle surgery three times and have always overcome these injuries. There will be nothing different here and I know I will be able to bounce back.”

Australian team doctor Trefor James said Lee's chances of playing in the World Cup depended on his progress over the next week.

“Brett's availability will depend on his progress over the coming period and no decisions regarding his availability for the World Cup will be made until this time,” James said in the statement.

Meanwhile, in another worrying development ahead of the World Cup, Australian batsman Michael Clarke will return home on Saturday from New Zealand after not recovering sufficiently from hip soreness.

“Michael is still suffering some hip soreness in certain movements and has not progressed to the point where he is able to play a part in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy,” Kountouris said.

“As such he will return to Sydney tomorrow to allow sufficient time to recover and is expected to be fully fit in time for the beginning of the World Cup.”

Australia are also without skipper Ricky Ponting (back), Adam Gilchrist (rested) and all-rounder Andrew Symonds (bicep) for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series.

New Zealand took full advantage of the absences, handing Australia their first ever 10-wicket one-day defeat in the opening match on Friday.

Meanwhile, Australian batsman Michael Clarke has been ordered to return home from his team's short tour of New Zealand because of a hip problem.

Clarke, who was originally selected as vice-captain for the three-match tour, missed Friday's series opener in Wellington after feeling pain in his hip the previous day.

Kountouris said Clarke would not recover in time to play in the remaining two matches and had been sent home as a precaution to ensure he was available for the World Cup.

“Michael is still suffering some hip soreness in certain movements and has not progressed to the point where he is able to play a part in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy,” Kountouris said in a statement.

“As such, he will return to Sydney on Saturday to allow sufficient time to recover and is expected to be fully fit in time for the beginning of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup.”

Phil Jaques had already been called into the squad as a replacement for Clarke, one of four Australian World Cup players under an injury cloud.