Brett Lee will not be considered for the Lord's Ashes Test as he continues his recovery from a rib injury.

Australia fast bowler Lee was expected to be out of the opening two matches of the npower series and captain Ricky Ponting confirmed his absence today.

"He didn't train with us yesterday and that means he won't be available for selection," said Ponting.

Lee will step up his comeback from a sore left side in the coming days, with a view to playing in the third match at Edgbaston in a fortnight.