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England's pace spearhead Mark Wood says he is "cautiously optimistic" about his fitness for the opening match of cricket's greatest rivalry in Australia.

The cricketer has been sidelined since a Champions Trophy defeat by Afghanistan last winter and had an operation for a knee issue this spring.

That tournament and tour of India which came before marked his comeback from an elbow injury that had kept him out for many months.

"The summer was disappointing," Wood stated. "I didn't get to play any cricket and my knee, at times, when it seemed I was nearly fit, it was not just quite there."

"I got knocked back a couple of times, but in the tent [training camp] it's been going well. I've had the speed gun out and the pace is getting up there."

The opener of the series starts on 21 November in Perth, with England aiming to win their first Test series on Australian soil since 2010-2011.

"With luck, I'll be performing well, delivering effectively in the practice games and in the nets, and can make my case for the first Test," Wood continued, whose last Test outing was against Sri Lanka 14 months ago.

"The rehab hasn't just been a straight curve, it's been a bit up and down, but now I'm in a better place and hope to push forward toward the match."

"I avoid making statements where I say, 'I'm fully ready, I'm set'. I'm in a confident place at the minute and feeling a lot more positive, so I'm cautiously hopeful."

Australia's Fitness Concerns

Meanwhile, Australia's concerns over the fitness of players have led to all-rounder Cameron Green being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne for the three-match one-day series with India, which starts on Sunday.

Australia already have doubts about the fitness of captain Pat Cummins, who's been absent since July due to a back injury in his back.

"Cameron Green has been ruled out for the India series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week," the cricket board stated.

"He will undergo a short period of rehabilitation and is expected to be back to play in round three of domestic cricket to further prepare for the series."

The third round of Australia's domestic Sheffield Shield competition is scheduled to start on 28 October.