Melbourne: All-rounder Andrew Symonds and paceman Brett Lee will be eyeing return when the National Selection Panel led by Andrew Hilditch will on Wednesday pick up the Australian squad for the Ashes series commencing on July 8.

The national selectors will meet at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to select the squad.

Symonds have received support from captain Ricky Ponting who said he thought the cricketer had good chance of returning to the Test side in Ashes series.

Symonds has battled controversies both on and off field and despite not being among the best of shape, was allowed to play for the country in the ODI series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and Dubai recently.

However, the cricketer seems to be finding rhythm in the Indian Premier League where he is playing for Deccan Chargers.

On the other hand, fate of pace spearhead Lee who has also hit the ground after recovering from the stress injury and currently playing in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab, will also be decided.

Marcus North and Shane Watson will be the other front-runners for the all-rounders' posts while any surprise is unlikely in the top order - consisting of Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke and North.

If the selectors opt to take 16 players it may allow them to consider Graham Manou as the back-up wicketkeeper.

Australia's first tour match is against Sussex at Hove on June 24, while first Test against England begins in Cardiff on July 8.