Australia fast bowler Brett Lee will leave the game proud of his career if injury forces him into premature retirement.

The paceman's 76-Test journey is at the crossroads, with a persistent elbow injury flaring up again and sidelining him for up to 12 weeks.

That leaves Lee no chance of forcing his way back into the Test side this summer and, at 33, his future looks very uncertain.

While refusing to draw the curtain on his international career, Lee admitted it is a decision he may soon have to make.

"At this point in time I don't need to make a call. It depends on how the operation goes - if that takes place - how the fitness is and how much I want it," he said today.

"I want to keep playing for Australia. I love being out there in the green and gold and enjoy playing for my country.

"But if I don't play another game for Australia again or play another game of cricket again, I'm very pleased with what I've achieved."

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Fitness will not be the only factor Lee, who has taken 310 Test wickets and 324 ODI scalps, considers when the time comes to make a call on his future.

He is desperate to spend less time away from young son Preston and also has a burgeoning media career awaiting him.

"I need to get away from the game, get this (elbow) right and then I'll make a call on my future," Lee said.

"It's a tough question because I don't know how the elbow's going to pull up.

"But I've had setbacks before and don't see why I can't come back from this.

"I am 33 years of age but with the cricket I've missed, I don't see my body being 33 as well.

"I still think there is a lot of cricket left in me."

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Lee added he will "exhaust every avenue" to correct his elbow problem, labelling surgery a "last resort".

If he does return, Lee's aim is to become the first Australian to claim 400 ODI wickets.

"I've had people write me off the last 10,12 years and I've always found a way to come back," he declared.

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