Veteran wicket-keeper Alec Stewart is set to begin the New Year by making his 126th Test appearance for England in Sydney.

The 39-year-old seems certain to return to the side at the expense of James Foster, as England try to avoid a 5-0 whitewash in the Ashes series.

Alec is a quality all-rounder Duncan Fletcher

Fast bowler Jason Gillespie has been passed fit for Australia, already without star bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne because of injury

The South Australian was suffering from a sore knee following the Melbourne Test, but was given the all-clear by Australia's medical staff after training on Wednesday.

Craig White's torn side muscle means the inclusion of Stewart, who missed the fourth Test with a hand injury, is important for the balance of the side.

England coach Duncan Fletcher said: "Craig is a big loss because he's bowling well for us and now he's got a lot of confidence in his batting. It's always useful to have one or two all-rounders.

Gillespie will be Australia's main threat

"Alec is useful in that role for us and it's good if we can get another one in ... he'll probably play because he seems fine now."

Who replaces White will depend on an assessment of the pitch at the SCG.

Two all-rounders from the one-day side - swing bowler Paul Collingwood and spinner Ian Blackwell - have been named in a 15-man squad.

Squad member Matthew Hoggard expressed his frustration at England's policy of not naming a final XI until the morning of the match.

"Every other Test side announces their line-up the day before to have time to prepare," he wrote in his BBC Sport Online column.

"I suppose they keep the option open of playing an extra seamer or a spinner but it is a bit ridiculous because the pitch doesn't alter that much overnight."

Gillespie and Brett Lee will spearhead Australia's attack and Andy Bichel is the obvious replacement for McGrath, having played in the first two Tests.

The hosts are expected to field a single spinner in Stuart MacGill, even though Brad Hogg was named in the squad.

Australia (from): SR Waugh (capt), JL Langer, ML Hayden, RT Ponting, DR Martyn, ML Love, AC Gilchrist (wkt), SCG MacGill, JN Gillespie, AJ Bichel, B Lee, BA Williams, GB Hogg

England (from): N Hussain (capt), ME Trescothick , MP Vaughan, MA Butcher, JP Crawley, RWT Key, AJ Stewart (wkt), J Foster (wkt), AR Caddick MJ Hoggard, SJ Harmison, RKJ Dawson, PD Collingwood, ID Blackwell, AJ Tudor.

Umpires: DL Orchard (SA) & RB Tiffin (Zim)

3rd Umpire: S Taufel

Match referee: Wasim Raja (Pak)