SYDNEY: According to Ricky Ponting, there is "no way" Andrew Symonds, who has been dropped from the Australian team now touring India, would be called up.

However, the captain told the media yesterday there have been "positive signs" from the temperamental cricketer, who chose to go fishing over attending a team meeting.

Admitting the absence of the brilliant all-rounder would be a big disadvantage in what is expected to be a keenly-contested series, Ponting said: "It's no good worrying about it, but you miss his skills and personality around the team.

"He's a terrific bloke to have around and he will be when he comes back, if he wants to come back."

Symonds returned to cricket yesterday after the "gone fishing" incident. Although his team – the Gold Coast Dolphins – lost to University in Brisbane, Symonds took two wickets for 25 off 8.1 overs and hit 31, inclusive of a towering six.

Having returned to Brisbane after an overseas trip, Symonds returned to training last Tuesday, when, contrary to speculation, he apologised for his behaviour and re-iterated his desire to resume his cricketing career.

Symonds has been asked to undergo rehabilitation and it is expected that sports psychologist Phil Jauncey, who prevented him from quitting the game in 2005 when his marriage to his childhood girlfriend Brooke Marshall broke down, will again be associated with him in his comeback bid.

Jauncey said last week the 33-year old is a "free spirit" who seeks his release by going bush and fish hunting.

"I've known Roy (Symonds) for years and years. You see this happens in players in all sorts of sports, especially people who are free spirirts. Professional sport is very structured, very routine, and over a period of time the structure can grind down any free spirit.

"Some people can deal with a structured environment, some like a little less structure."