Bell, 24, was taken to a Brisbane hospital for precautionary x-rays after being struck in the Gabba nets by paceman James Anderson, throwing a scare into the camp two days before the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

England released a statement saying the scans had cleared Bell of any breaks but his hand was heavily bruised and the injury would be reassessed on Wednesday.

Bell, who scored a century in England's last warm-up match against South Australia, was expected to be promoted up the order to bat at number three after opener Marcus Trescothick returned home last week.

If Bell was ruled out, England would be forced to reshuffle their batting line-up again.

The most likely replacement would be uncapped Ed Joyce, who was added to the squad as a replacement for Trescothick.

Michael Vaughan arrived in Brisbane on Monday afternoon but is not expected to be fit until the third Test while he continues his recovery from knee surgery.