All-rounder Craig White is in serious doubt for the fifth Ashes Test after suffering a torn side muscle at the MCG.

Despite a Friday night rib scan confirming the tear, White batted through the pain to make an unbeaten 85 on day three in Melbourne.

It is the latest in a long line of injuries for England, and with the final Ashes Test starting on 2 January White looks likely to miss out.

"I've torn my side muscle again so that's a big disappointment," said White, who sustained a similar injury in the summer and could not bowl in Yorkshire's C&G Trophy final win.

We'll see what it's like in a week or so, but we'll probably have to aim for the World Cup now Craig White

"I don't know if I'll be able to bowl again this match - it's probably like asking a batter to bat with a broken thumb.

"It's pretty sore at the minute and it's the main bowling muscle so I think I'll be struggling.

"Sydney is very doubtful, and if I'm not bowling I don't think I'll be playing."

White moved well in a fine knock that deserved to earn him a second Test century.

His efforts could not prevent England from following on, but he was nevertheless happy to find form with the bat.

White showed no ill effects in a fine knock

"It was nice to get some runs and obviously it would have been nice to get 100 but if someone had said I would have got that at the start of the day I would have taken it.

"It was good conditions to bat in and it's still a good batting pitch.

"Before the one-dayers I was struggling for form but I spent a lot of time at the crease in the one-dayers and that's all you need just to click back into place.

"I don't need to prove myself to anyone, I just enjoy playing cricket and enjoy playing for England.

"I've picked up some wickets and some runs on the tour so far and I'm enjoying myself again."

Tough task

White admits England, who on 111 for two still need 170 runs to make Australia bat again, face a tough task on day four.

"We've got a lot of batting to do, so it's a big challenge ahead of us but we've got to prove we can play.

"Hopefully Nasser and Vaughan can stick in there. The first session tomorrow is vitally important, so we'll just wait and see."

Australia spinner Stuart MacGill agreed his side were in a solid position.

"You've got to think Australia is in a particularly strong position, and tomorrow could be a tough day for the England team," MacGill said.