MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Mitchell Starc of Australia tapes his finger during day three of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and South Africa at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 28, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Mitchell Starc is preparing to push through his finger injury and lead Australia's fast-paced assault against India in the third Test, despite the continued presence of tendon damage and pain.

Starc, who continues to feel swelling in his release finger, originally suffered the setback in a fielding blunder during the Boxing Day Test and did not appear in either of the first two Tests in India.

The pressure for Starc to persevere through the injury has been aided by captain Pat Cummins' departure from the Test scene due to a serious family illness, leaving a void in Australia's pace stocks.

Inquisitioned on the state of his ailment, Starc admitted that while he won't be fully healed for some time yet, it won't be the first time he's fought through the pain barrier to front up for a Test match.

"It's a Test match, it's good enough," began Starc on Monday.

"There's going to be a level of discomfort for a little while, I don't think it is going to be 100 percent for a little while, but the ball is coming out quite nicely and I feel like I'm pretty much at full tilt.

"It wouldn't be the first Test match I've played in some sort of discomfort. If I only played when I was at 100 percent, I would have only played five or 10 Tests.

"I'm happy with where it's at and I've built up enough of a pain threshold to deal with that stuff over the last 10 or 12 years."

Cameron Green, recovering from a finger injury of his own, and Scott Boland are also being considered for potential call-ups for the final clash with the Indians.

Questioned on the possibility of workload issues arising, Starc was categorical about his ability to contribute as much as is required.

"I had 10 days off when I first did the injury and then I've been bowling since," he said.

"Workload-wise, body-wise no concern at all, I'm comfortable and happy with where my numbers are, where my body is at preparing for this series, and then obviously not having the first two Tests to continue that as well.

"In that regard very happy with where it's all at, now it's just an execution of skills having had a break from game time."

The third Test between Australia and India is set to commence on Wednesday, with the Indians leading the series 2-0.