Australia coach Darren Lehmann has conceded that skipper Michael Clarke could miss his side's first Test against India next month.

The 33-year-old was ruled out of the rest of the one-day international series with South Africa after injuring his hamstring in their 32-run victory at Perth.

Lehmann admits that Clarke's injury is severe enough to put his place in jeopardy for the match with India in December, while the situation has been further complicated with the World Cup next year.

"It's tight isn't it," Lehmann told reporters. "But [we] have to see what comes up [in the] next few days.

"I imagine he [Clarke] will want to be in the World Cup. So we've just got to get it diagnosed, work out what's going on finally and get it right.

"That's the big thing for us get him back playing cricket. First get him fit and healthy and then get him back to play."

George Bailey has assumed the ODI captaincy of the Baggy Greens in Clarke's absence.