Behrendorff won't give up on Test dream

Injured Western Australia paceman Jason Behrendorff was so sore last week he struggled to put his shoes on but the pain hasn't convinced him to give up on his Test dreams.

Behrendorff may miss the rest of the JLT Sheffield Shield season after suffering a flare-up of an old back injury in WA's recent draw against Queensland.

The 27-year-old also faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the Perth Scorchers' KFC BBL campaign, which kicks off in just over two weeks.

But even if he makes a successful and pain-free return during the T20 tournament, his history of back problems means he may not be risked in long-form cricket when the Shield season resumes in February.

Behrendorff's problems stem from a serious back fracture he suffered in February, 2015.

The left-arm quick has been told that fracture will never fully heal, leaving him prone to painful flare-ups stemming from the scar tissue in the area.

It was again the case during the recent match against Queensland, when Behrendorff was unable to bowl in the second innings.

"I was struggling to put my shoes on," Behrendorff said.

"As much as I wanted to bowl, I couldn't even physically run very well. It can be quite debilitating at times."

Behrendorff is one of Australia's most exciting bowling talents.

Just last summer, he snared 9-37 in an innings against Victoria, while he starred with 4-21 in a T20 game against India in October.

It has been suggested that Behrendorff could help preserve his back by becoming a white-ball specialist

But the fast bowler is determined to keep his Test dreams alive.

"I don't think plans change really. It's the nature of the beast," Behrendorff said.

"Ideally I'll get my back in a position where I'm ready to go in four-day cricket again.

"Whether it's this year, next year, whenever it is. I'll still be wanting to get that red ball or pink ball back in my hand."

Fellow WA quicks David Moody and Nathan Coulter-Nile are also nursing back injuries.

Moody is set to miss at least four months with a fracture but Coulter-Nile is on track to return during the BBL.