Australia coach Mickey Arthur has admitted that picking David Warner for the Ashes would be a risk following the player's suspension until the first Test against England.

Arthur said that Warner's place could be in question because he is going into an Ashes series without having played any warm-up games, which means that other players would have a chance to step up.

"Hypothetically, it would be a risk," ESPN quotes Arthur as saying. "He wouldn't have had any cricket - but he would have had training. We've got plans to give him some centre-wicket practice.

"I guess it's an opportunity for other members in the squad to stand up in the first two practice games, because if they do that, they've got a real good chance of starting that first Test.

"A centre-wicket is the only way we can almost replicate match conditions. That's what we'll be trying to do with Dave while the boys are playing against Somerset and Worcestershire."

The first Test starts at Trent Bridge on July 10.