Australia coach Darren Lehmann backs Michael Clarke to improve form

Australia coach Darren Lehmann has insisted that captain Michael Clarke will be given "as long as he needs" to regain his form with the bat.

The 34-year-old's contribution to the team has been called into question following their eight-wicket defeat in the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

Clarke has averaged just 18.80 in the series so far, but Lehmann is hopeful that his skipper will turn things around soon.

"He'll get as long as he needs, he's captain," Lehmann told reporters. "We're not going to panic, that's for sure. But he's got to play well.

"I can't complain about the work ethic of any of the players, Michael especially as captain. He sets the tone and raises the bar of what you need to do to play well at this level."

England and Australia return to action in the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge on Thursday.