West Indies captain Chris Gayle concedes Fidel Edwards will be missed if he fails to make Friday's ICC World T20 semi-final.

Fast bowler Edwards will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness to take on Sri Lanka at the Oval.

Edwards pulled out of Monday night's win over England seconds before the toss after injuring himself in the warm-up, and it was later confirmed the problem was an irritation of a nerve root in his lower back.

He was not risked at Thursday's practice session at the Oval but the West Indies camp is retaining an optimistic outlook on his condition.

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"He has been good for us throughout the tournament," said Gayle. "Fidel is the sort of bowler who can win you games by picking up wickets at crucial times, so he would be missed.

"He was missed in the game against England even though we won. He is a key factor for us and if he is not fit we are not sure who it would be if someone else comes in."

Gayle sat out West Indies' previous defeat to Sri Lanka in this tournament, a match which emphasised the vast scoring potential of an experienced top order.

Sanath Jayasuriya blazed 81 and Tillakaratne Dilshan, the tournament's leading run-scorer after the Super Eights stage, added 74 in a score of 192 for five.

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"They are a very good attacking team," said Gayle. "Whenever one of them doesn't click someone else steps up, which is good in a team.

"They have some quality players at the top of the order and any one of them can be dangerous."

Sri Lanka's tactics have been founded on defending scores through their triple 'M' attack, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Lasith Malinga, and West Indies will have to find a way of countering the policy.

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"Whatever total they get on the board they seem to have the bowling attack to defend it," reflected Gayle, who might consider batting first as a disruption.

"They don't go for a lot of runs but we have to try to limit the dot balls out there."

West Indies have produced two winning displays at the Oval already this tournament to upset Australia and hosts England on their way to what some consider a surprise last-four berth.

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"That might be our only advantage," joked Gayle. "We have used this as our home base.

"It is a good wicket, a fast outfield and the environment is brilliant.

"But I am really happy because a lot of people didn't expect us to reach this far and whatever happens I am really proud of the guys."