Michael Clarke is determined to play on and lead Australia in next year’s Ashes series. Source: Getty Images

The once-in-a-generation opportunity that Cricket Australia had made as their No. 1 priority for Clarke would appear out of reach, given the skipper would be racing the clock just to be fit for the start of the tournament.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann said his team simply couldn’t afford the risk of taking a half-baked Clarke into the World Cup starting mid-February.

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Clarke’s determination and resilience to return for the showpiece tournament can’t be underestimated, but after admitting there’s a chance he may never play again, it seems the 33-year-old has come to the realisation that he needs an extended stint on the sidelines.

Captaining his country to World Cup victory on home soil is a rare achievement Clarke would be dearly wanting to add to his ever growing legacy, but he might need to take a longer-term view with his ambitions.

Michael Clarke is expected to miss a minimum of eight weeks after picking up injuries in the second Test. Source: AFP

Experts are still examining scan results on his torn right hamstring and the serious disc flare-up on the right side of his lower back, however he’s expected to miss a minimum of eight weeks.

In a best-case scenario, that would only see Clarke back for the first World Cup warm-up match on February 8.

It’s believed a more likely plan of attack for Clarke and CA may be to give him a five-month rehabilitation program with the view of getting him strong for a tilt at the Test tour of the West Indies and the all-important UK Ashes series in the winter.

Clarke may never play one-day cricket again, but it’s understood he feels he has unfinished business as Test captain and won’t be throwing in the towel just yet.

Lehmann is confident Clarke won’t hang up the boots, but indicated his best batsman would need to do a lot to convince selectors his body was up to the constant travel and rigours of 44-days of World Cup competition.

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“For me, we want him fully fit. He knows he has to be fully fit for one-day cricket,” said Lehmann.

“He was magnificent in this Test match and he has been magnificent in the last few weeks with what’s happened with our team and what has happened with Phillip and his family.

“He needs to get it right. He knows that. We know that. One day cricket is an explosive game and we need guys fully fit all the time.”

Clarke has broken down in his past two one-day internationals and hasn’t successfully completed a 50-over match since January.

In a Test match scenario, there is the avenue of Clarke receiving around the clock treatment to get back on the park.

But if he was to go down in the throws of a major World Cup fixture, the consequences could be dire.

Michael Clarke has broken down in his past two one-day internationals and hasn’t successfully completed a 50-over match since January. Source: Getty Images

Before his latest setback, selectors were already concerned about how they could be convinced of Clarke’s fitness for the Cup.

The only advantage in Clarke’s favour is that World Cup rules would allow him to be replaced during the tournament if he did injure himself, even though it could be considered a pre-existing ailment.

“We have already looked into those rules, that’s not the case,” said Lehmann.

And on the biggest stage, you want your best players out there.

But the Australian World Cup squad is named in early January and given Clarke’s virtually no chance of playing in the warm-up ODI tri-series tournament against England and India, it would be a major risk for selectors to carry him for so long on a wing and a prayer.

Recent history would suggest if he’s rushed back, Clarke would be at extreme risk of his hamstrings and or back caving in again.

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George Bailey would be the frontrunner to captain in the World Cup, given his extensive experience as Clarke’s deputy in the 50-over format.

However, if Brad Haddin is announced as interim Test captain as expected, there could be an argument for him to also skipper at the World Cup, with Bailey to remain as vice-captain.

Clarke’s place in the full-strength batting order would be covered by Bailey and Steve Smith, and his omission from the squad could open the door for a Cameron White, Shaun Marsh or Usman Khawaja.

It’s been a highly emotional time for Clarke on a variety of fronts and it’s believed that might have contributed to his sombre outlook during Saturday’s post-Test press conference.

Clarke has been given an extreme reality check, but his close supporters are sure he’ll fight on as he has done for his entire career battling a chronic back disorder.