Australia opening batsman Simon Katich is in doubt for the second Test against Pakistan because of an elbow injury he picked up in the Boxing Day Test.
Katich's New South Wales teammate Phillip Hughes, who was dropped from the team after the second Ashes Test in 2009, has been placed on standby, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Simon is still working with (team physio) Alex Kountouris on the injury he picked up at the MCG,'' a team spokesman said on Saturday.
"The National Selection Panel has advised that Phillip Hughes will be flown from Melbourne to Sydney this afternoon as a standby player should Simon not be fit to take the field tomorrow morning.''
Katich was struck on his right elbow by a sharp ball from Pakistan pacer Mohammad Aamer on day three of the MCG Test.
Katich and Shane Watson have formed a strong opening combination since the axing of Hughes. The new pairing has shared first-wicket partnerships worth 856 runs in 12 innings at an average of 71.33.
However, the 21-year-old Hughes has been deemed unlucky by some fans to lose his Test spot, and a hundred for NSW in a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria in Newcastle in December underlined his talent.
Hughes averages 52.44 in five Tests, including two centuries.
Earlier on Saturday, Ponting said he was confident of a good showing in Sydney and expected Pakistan to recall leg-spinner Danish Kaneria from a finger injury and include pacer Umar Gul.
Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the Boxing Day Test by 170 runs.
