Warne's Boxing Day hopes fading

MELBOURNE - Shane Warne's dream of returning to the Australian cricket team in the Boxing Day Test is all but over.

The injured leg spinner admitted today he'd been forced to rethink and was now aiming to return for the one-day series with the West Indies and Zimbabwe in January.

Warne has been sidelined for six weeks, since breaking his finger while playing for Victoria against New South Wales in the Pura Cup in late October.

His original goal was to be back for the fourth Test against the West Indies, starting at the MCG on December 26.

But while the finger injury was progressing well, he said a Boxing Day return was looking a bit ambitious.

"I'm not ruling myself out for Boxing Day, I might wake up tomorrow and suddenly I've got full movement and no pain in my finger," Warne said.

"(But) I think my aim will probably be the one-day series (beginning on January 11)."

Warne said the cricket schedule would play a big role in determining when he returns to the national side.

His most likely comeback route is firstly with club side St Kilda in a two-day game on December 16-17.

If he comes through that unscathed he would then play for Victoria in the Pura Cup match in Perth from January 4-7, ahead of the first game in the limited overs tri-series at the MCG on January 11.

Warne, speaking on ABC radio, said he had learned from past experience not to rush back too early.

"Generally when you are right you should give yourself an extra couple of weeks and make sure you are 110 percent," Warne said.

"If I'm not right in the next couple of weeks then I won't play."

Australia's Test wicket record-holder remains unfazed about reclaiming his place in the line-up despite the national side having strolled to a 2-0 series lead against the West Indies in his absence.

"I don't have to prove anything to anyone," he said.

"I think the last 10 years, what I have been able to achieve on and off the field, has been pretty good."

In Warne's favour in his bid to return for the one day series is that while New South Wales' leggie Stuart MacGill is an automatic choice for the Test side in Warne's absence, he is far from a sure thing in the one-day side. Warne was also confident he would quickly regain his form once he is fit, saying he was about to peak just prior to his latest injury setback.

"Last year through England in county cricket and the start of this season, my form was as good as it's ever been," he said.

"That has been the most frustrating thing because (prior to breaking his finger) I was fit and doing everything well."