Former Australia captain Steve Smith's road to recovery is on track after he recently underwent elbow surgery and is quite likely to be fit for the upcoming 2019 World Cup.
Smith's manager Warren Craig said that the former skipper remained in braces after the surgery but expressed confidence that he would be ready to play in a few weeks time.
"Until the brace comes off we don't know for sure but all current opinion is that he'll then have about three and a half weeks (before being ready to play)," Craig told cricket.com.au.
"The intent is that he will play in the IPL and then the World Cup and then the Ashes."
Smith sustained the injury during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), following which he had to cut short his association with the T20 tournament.
According to a Cricket Australia spokesperson, he could only return to playing after the brace is removed and that means Smith could well not be available for Australia even after his ban ends on March 28.
While it's uncertain when and where Smith and Warner will return to the national team, limited-overs captain Aaron Finch said last month both players will be warmly welcomed back.