Warne has had plenty of time to perfect his putting

Australia's leading Test wicket-taker's ban for taking an illegal diuretic ends on 10 February.

When asked if an instant return was possible, Hookes said: "Not for mortals like us, but Shane's not a mortal.

"He's the best player in the world in his craft so why wouldn't you pick him?"

"It's a long way off. It's going to be a really complex issue and it's going to be a real focus for cricket, and a focus worldwide, for the Australian team and us."

Warne had been training with Victorian during his ban, but that was stopped because of Australian government pressure through its funding body Australian Sports Commission.

Victoria's first games after Warne's ban expires are against Tasmania at the MCG - a 14 February one-dayer and a four-day match from 16 February.

At the moment, if he was available tomorrow you'd pick him David Hookes

The Australian team also leaves for Sri Lanka soon after Warne becomes available for selection.

"I will be interested if the Australian selectors speak to me about what they would like us to do, because Australia go out to Sri Lanka within two or three days of his ban finishing," Hookes said.

"They leave him here to play with us for a couple of games and then ship him over there, I'm not sure.

"It's an issue a group of people will have to discuss, including Warney, come early to mid-January.