While England will definitely make one change for the series finale, Australia will also ponder alterations to their side after surrendering an 18-match unbeaten streak in home Ashes Tests.
Spinner Todd Murphy could come in for a pace bowler at the Sydney Cricket Ground, while all-rounder Cameron Green is under pressure after a lean spell with the bat.
As Australia held an optional training session in Melbourne on Monday, head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed batter Usman Khawaja will play in Sydney for what could be his last Test.
The left-hander turned 39 earlier this month and Australia do not play another Test until August.
However, McDonald said there has been “no indication” Khawaja is set to call time on his Test career.
“We’ve been really clear that we haven’t had a conversation,” said McDonald. “The speculation has been from external.”
The final day of the Sydney Test is scheduled for 8 January and after such a gruelling tour, England are then due to begin a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka just two weeks later on 22 January.
The three one-day internationals and T20s are part of the preparation for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
England will name their squads on Tuesday and are likely to be close to full-strength, with multi-format players not expected to be rested despite their involvement in the Ashes.
There will be a question over the availability of Archer, who could be named in the World Cup squad and assessed nearer the tournament.
McDonald also said Australia will name fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in their 15-man provisional squad for the World Cup despite their limited role in the Ashes because of injury.
Test captain Cummins, who missed the first two Tests as he recovered from a back injury, played the third match in Adelaide but was withdrawn from the remainder of the series while Hazlewood has been absent throughout with hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries.
