But it all depends on the results of his medical examination, which was conducted in London, yesterday.

This information was revealed yesterday by member of the West Indies selection panel, Joey Carew.

The ailing world double record-holder was diagnosed with a “mystery” illness during the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka last September and was advised by doctors there to rest from the game for six weeks.

The illness was initially reported as hepatitis but neither Lara nor the West Indies Cricket Board could confirm or deny the report, preferring to keep it close to their chests.

The illness has since forced the super left-handed batsman to miss the Test and One-day series in India and the current limited overs contest against Bangladesh.

Carew said that once the gifted player gets the medical go-ahead, the selection committee, headed by Sir Vivian Richards and which also includes Gordon Greenidge and himself, will then decide on Lara’s earliest comeback to competitive cricket.

“We hope that one thing follows the other. If he gets the all-clear we would like him to play some competitive cricket before the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

And that option is the remaining Test series in Bangladesh,” Carew stated.

“The possibility of his joining the West Indies team in Dhaka is quite good.”

According to Carew, it is expected that the medical report will be submitted to the WICB by today or tomorrow.

With the World Cup less than two months away, Lara will have little time to prepare himself for the tournament in South Africa, which starts in February.

Having missed the One-Day series in Bangladesh, Lara’s only means of getting match fit will be the Test series in Dhaka and the opening match of the 2003 regional four-day tournament against Guyana on January 31.

The only opportunity Lara will have to prepare otherwise will be a proposed West Indies training camp in Anguilla later this month.