VETERAN quick Peter Siddle has been ruled out of Saturday’s Hobart Test after scans showed what is “likely to be a flare up of his previous lower back injury”.

The 31-year-old faces an uncertain playing future.

Siddle returned from an eight-month injury lay-off in October and played three one-day games and one Sheffield Shield match for Victoria, before winning selection for the Perth Test against South Africa last week.

The 62-Test veteran claimed 1-36 and 2-62 in Australia’s 177-run loss and was criticised for dropping his pace below the 130km/h mark.

media_camera Peter Siddle has been ruled out of the Second Test with a back injury. Picture: Getty Images

Australia’s team physiotherapist David Beakley said Siddle had complained of back soreness after Monday’s conclusion of the Perth Test.

“Whilst we expect bowlers to be sore after Test matches, this was slightly worse than we expected,” Beakley said on Tuesday.

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“And given that he was returning from a significant back injury, we organised some scans today.

“The scans demonstrated some low grade bone oedema around his old stress fracture that is likely to be a flare up of his previous lower back injury.

“We are hopeful that this will resolve relatively quickly, but have withdrawn him from the squad for the second Test Match in Hobart.

“We will monitor his recovery and have a better idea of when he will return to play in the next week or so.”

Tasmania’s five-Test paceman Jackson Bird, who was edged out of the 12-man squad for the Perth Test by uncapped South Australian seamer Joe Mennie, has been placed on standby.

Mennie is a strong contender to make his Test debut on Saturday.