Mitchell Starc's foot injury will put further strain on Australia's vast fast bowling depth this summer.

Just how long Starc will be on the sidelines is yet to be determined, but the retirements of Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris, and the back injury to Patrick Cummins, means Australia's selectors will have to dig deep into the pool of fast bowling talent.

Here are six leading contenders to replace Starc, should the left-arm spearhead be ruled out of the first Test against the West Indies in Hobart on December 10, or beyond.

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James Pattinson – VIC

Shield form | Matches: 2 | Wickets: 8 | Ave: 24.62 | SR: 57

Pattinson is the obvious and likely choice to replace Starc for the first Test in the Apple Isle. The strapping right-armer was in the squad for the day-night Test, missing out to Victorian teammate Peter Siddle. After an injury-riddled 18 months, Pattinson looks to be back to his best with a re-modelled action and is hitting speeds that rival Starc and Johnson.

Nathan Coulter-Nile – WA

Shield form | Yet to play

Coulter-Nile was set to play for Western Australia this week in their Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria, but a second Cricket Australia code of behaviour breach in WA's Toyota Futures League mid-week clash led to a one-match suspension. The 28-year-old has been around the Test squad before, most notably through the 2013-14 Ashes, and is a key member in Australia's limited-overs teams. But with no top-flight cricket since a Matador BBQs One-Day Cup match on October 17, Coulter-Nile might need some red-ball overs under his belt.

Jason Behrendorff – WA

Shield form | Matches: 2 | Wickets: 9 | Average: 22.22 | SR: 46.6

The towering quick missed the last two Shield matches for WA with shin issues, but prior to that left-armer was in supreme form. Taking the new ball with Johnson, Behrendorff took four frugal wickets in Hobart, then backed it up with five scalps for the match in a heartbreaking one-wicket loss to South Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Fully fit, the Canberra native could be Starc's left-arm replacement.

Gurinder Sandhu – NSW

Shield form | Matches: 2 | Wickets: 2 | Average: 66 | SR: 141

Sandhu's limited opportunities with the red ball could count against him. The right-armer has been involved in not one, but two abandoned first-class fixtures this summer; first against New Zealand at Blacktown and then at the SCG against Victoria. However, Sandhu was on the Australia A tour to India in the winter, taking 10 wickets in two matches, including seven in the comprehensive 10-wicket win in the second four-day fixture against India A. Sandhu can also bowl more-than-handy part-time off-spin, but it's his work off the long-run that will earn him selection.

Jackson Bird – TAS

Shield form | Matches: 3 | Wickets: 12 | Average: 24.67 | SR: 58.5

Free of injury, Bird is returning to the form that saw him win a Baggy Green cap on Boxing Day in 2012 according to Tigers coach Dan Marsh. The lanky quick has taken multiple wickets in five of his six innings in Shield cricket this summer, and could play a role like Peter Siddle, relying on his precise line and length to generate pressure through maiden overs. The 28-year-old is a strong candidate to add to his three Test matches.

Joe Mennie – SA

Shield form | Matches: 3 | Wickets: 14 | Average: 20.07 | SR: 48.79

It's hard to call the leading domestic first-class wicket-taker a bolter, but Joe Mennie has come from back in the pack to hit the ground running this summer. Starting at first-change for the Redbacks, Mennie's blistering form has commanded the new ball, bunting Kane Richardson from the role. At 26, and with 32 first-class performances to his name, Mennie would be a surprise selection but on form, there's no player hotter in the Shield.