The bad news has continued for Australia, with fast bowler James Pattinson ruled out for the rest of the Ashes series.

Pattinson has suffered stress fractures in his lower back after complaining of back and hip soreness during the final day of the Lord’s Test, and team doctor Peter Brunker said last night scans revealed the cause of the problem.

“We had some scans done today in London that have identified an early-stage low back stress fracture,” Brunker said.

“Unfortunately, he will not take any further part in this Test series and will commence a rehabilitation program with the aim to have him back for the Australian summer.”

At just 23 years of age, there must now be major concerns about Pattinson’s durability after yet another setback.

The Australian batting collapse in the second Test meant the bowling attack had just 54 overs to rest between long stints in the field.

It’s plausible that Australia’s batting woes have sidelined a frontline bowler. Pattinson played the first and second Tests, with just four days in between Trent Bridge and Lord’s.

He has had an extensive history of injuries during his young career. He was ruled out midway through last summer with a side strain and suffered stress fractures as a teenager.

Australia have a brilliant pool of fast bowlers, but players breaking down continue to be a problem. At this stage, a replacement hasn’t been announced, but performance manager Pat Howard said Australia A bowlers would be considered, although there are five quicks already with the squad in England.

“While we are obviously disappointed for James, the selectors have five bowlers fit and ready perform in England, providing them with many options,” Howard said.

“It is also important to note that several players have been performing for Australia A and are available to be called up at any stage if required. We’ve been well planned to have as many bowlers fit and available in the lead-up to this important series and while this set-back for James is disappointing, we are confident we have good fast bowling depth.”

Nathan Coulter-Nile and Chadd Sayers shape as frontrunners if a replacement is summoned. Pat Cummins is with Australia A and performed well against Zimbabwe, but given his own injury history, he’s unlikely to be rushed back.

Pattinson struggled for rhythm in the first two Tests and was in danger of being dropped anyway.

Mitchell Starc and Jackson Bird are in line to come in at Old Trafford.

Pattinson will stay with the squad until the end of the Manchester Test.

Coach Darren Lehmann, meanwhile, has ruled out adding any batting reinforcements to his squad for the remainder of the series.

Australia are likely to select an unchanged batting line-up for their tour match against Sussex starting on Friday.

The emphatic “no” from Lehmann also ends any suggestion former Test stars Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting, who have been performing in English county cricket, would be sent out an SOS.

Captain Michael Clarke is expected to be fit to play the three-day game in Hove, leading into the third Test at Old Trafford starting next Thursday, August 1.

The match presents a massive opportunity for wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.

Replaced by Brad Haddin as the first-choice keeper for this tour, Wade could force his way into the side as a batsman if he can score a big hundred in Hove.

He’s in reasonable touch, scoring 85 in a low-standard one-dayer between the MCC and Singapore last week.

“I say all the time, the whole 18 are a chance to play,” Lehmann said.

“Wade will play in the tour match.

“I’m not ruling anything out (Wade playing as a batter). That is what happens when you have two losses, every option is open.”

Spinner Nathan Lyon will replace Ashton Agar in the tour game, and also has the opportunity to win back his spot with a wicket-taking performance.

Agar (0-44, 0-98) struggled at Lord’s and showed he’s still got plenty of development ahead of him before he becomes a fixture in the Test team.

Lyon had done little wrong to be dropped in the first place, but this will be a good test of attitude to see if he can bounce back.

Lehmann said Agar, who also picked up a slight hip strain, would need to be monitored.

If Old Trafford looks like a spinner’s deck, which it often does, Lehmann will consider both.

“Ash is a bit sore so I don’t think he will play in Sussex and Nathan will play obviously,” Lehmann said.

“Then we just have to look at the wicket. History shows it spins a bit and reverses, so maybe two spinners, I don’t know. We’ll just have to look at that when we get to Manchester.

“We’re still impressed with (Agar). He’s only young. He’s a great young lad and he will continue to improve.”