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Star opener David Warner is shaping up well to return from injury for the third Test against India, Australian coach Justin Langer says.

Australian coach Justin Langer is optimistic star opener David Warner will be fit for the New Year's Test against India.

The 34-year-old has been recovering from a groin injury suffered in last month's ODI series.

Warner pressed his claims to return for the Boxing Day Test, but his preparation has been less than ideal after being outside of Australia's COVID-safe Hub.

Warner, and uncapped squad member Sean Abbott, travelled from Sydney to Melbourne to continue their injury rehabilitation when the northern beaches' COVID-19 cluster grew.

But working in Warner's favour, the third Test is scheduled to start four days later than normal on January 7.

"He batted very well (on Wednesday) in the nets, he's moving well," Langer said.

"He's enthusiastic as ever. He's got so much energy and passion for the game and he'll be doing everything possible to get out onto the ground.

"He's having a bit of trouble running at full speed.

"We'll just monitor him and fingers crossed he'll be back.

"It's not just for our team. Everyone loves watching him play cricket.

"It's great for the theatre and the performance, the entertainment of Test cricket."

In Warner's absence, Matthew Wade made a bright start in his first appearance as a Test opener when he partnered with Joe Burns at the Adelaide Oval.

The pair will again open the batting at the MCG, with Australia sticking with an unchanged line-up as they seek to go 2-0 up in the four-Test series.

But with 24 Test centuries at an average of 48.94 to his name, Warner is an automatic inclusion when he is available, creating a major selection headache for Langer.