Australia coach Mickey Arthur is holding out hope star all-rounder Shane Watson and paceman James Pattinson will be fit to return at some point during the triangular one-day series.

And batsman Peter Forrest is likely to be handed his international debut in Friday’s one-day clash with Sri Lanka at the WACA if Arthur can figure out who to drop from his high-flying team.

Watson, who has been plagued by calf and hamstring issues this summer, will make his long-awaited return via Sydney grade ranks on Saturday when he lines up for Sutherland in a one-day clash with Easts at Waverley Oval.

Arthur is hesitant to put a definitive time frame on when Watson is likely to return to the national set-up, but said the 30-year-old remained one of his most important players.

“It’s been frustrating for us and frustrating for Shane,” Arthur said on Wednesday.

“Hopefully it goes well for him this weekend then we can re-asses where he is and hopefully get him back for the one-day comp.

“But I don’t think we can put a time frame on that. We’ve got to be happy and he’s got to be happy his body can sustain batting and bowling.”

Pattinson hasn’t played since injuring his foot during the second Test against India.

But the 21-year-old bowled to Australia’s batsmen in the nets in Melbourne last week and is on track to make his return via Victoria this month.

Arthur is keen to play 26-year-old Forrest against Sri Lanka on Friday, but said no one was putting their hand up for a rest to accommodate him.

“Places are at a premium and there is a lot of competition for places, so no one wants to relinquish their position, which is perfect and which is right,” Arthur said.

Australia’s senior players are in line for a rest during the middle stages of the tri series, but only if the team was on track to secure a finals berth.

“Our plan was always to start well, and then through the middle give some development opportunities to some players and then pick our best team again,” Arthur said.

“But results along the way determine that.”

Meanwhile, Arthur jokingly wished the Ashes were on this summer instead of 2013 after watching England’s shock 3-0 loss to Pakistan in Dubai.

But the former South Africa coach said he wouldn’t read too much into the result.

“England had come out of a cold winter, they hadn’t played any cricket,” Arthur said.

“I don’t think they were battle hardened at all and I think that came out in the way they played.

“They’ll be properly prepared for their summer and for when we get there.”