Positive injury news for Warner

David Warner remains optimistic he will be fit to play in NSW's opening round of the Sheffield Shield, a match he needs to play in order to prove his fitness for the first Test against New Zealand.

Warner is racing the clock to be fit for the Blues' Shield game against South Australia, starting on October 28, a match Australia coach Darren Lehmann said this week is an essential part of his preparation for the first Commonwealth Bank Test against New Zealand.

The opener hasn't batted since he broke his left thumb during Australia's limited overs series against England last month.

Speaking on Wide World of Sports on Friday, Warner said he would pick up a bat again on Tuesday for the first time since the injury.

He had said earlier this week that he intended to return to batting on Monday, but is now aiming for a day later.

"It’s been a long five weeks, going on six weeks so far," Warner said.

"I had an x-ray this morning and got some good news. The break has started to come together and I’m going to have a little light hit on Tuesday morning with just some underarm throws and stuff and then get into it on Thursday, Friday.

"I will just manage it as well as I can, I’ll probably face bowlers the day before we leave for (the Shield match in) Adelaide. 

"Just so I don't have the recurrence of being hit by one of the bowlers on that thumb.

"But there’s a very, very realistic chance I’m going to be playing in that Shield match and positive signs."

On Tuesday, Warner said he felt confident that he could perform in the first Test against the Black Caps, starting at the Gabba on November 5, even if he was unable to play the Shield clash.

But Lehmann said playing the day-night Shield round was essential if the 28-year-old wanted to play the Test in Brisbane.

"I'm pretty sure he'd have to play," Lehmann said. "If he's not going to play that he's probably not going to be fit enough (for the first Test).

"Again, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it but all signs are he's going to play."

Lehmann said on Tuesday that playing just the one Shield match would be enough for Warner to prove he's ready for the first Test.

"For him, yeah. He's played a lot of cricket anyway," Lehmann said.

"You'd love him to have a bit more time but we're not too worried about it, especially with the way he plays."

Warner said he believed he didn't need a lengthy build-up of matches to be ready for the Test summer.

"My goal is to play that Shield game, I want to play that Shield game to have a hit because I don't think I'll be able to get out here and play any of the last couple of games for the Matador Cup.

"I think eight years on the road playing a lot of cricket, you don't lose that (ability) overnight.

"I think this four to six week break mentally (has) freshened me up and I think it's going to put me in good stead for the summer.

"You're only one or two hits away in the nets, an hour off getting back to what you can do. But obviously batting against bowlers is going to be the key."

Warner said he was more concerned about how his injured thumb would respond to fielding again rather than how it would affect his batting.

"I think it'll come down to when I have to catch a ball I'll be a little bit hesitant," he said.

"But I've broken this before and I know exactly what I have to do. That's getting it right with the bat first and then we'll worry about the fielding and catching later."

Selectors will decide on Australia's squad for the first Test on October 29.