The man himself has flagged that this could be his last home summer, but Australian coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that David Warner is still very much in the plans for the upcoming four-Test Border-Gavaskar tour to India.

Warner is under all sorts of pressure heading into a three-Test series against South Africa.

At 36 years of age, there are as many as four candidates in the Sheffield Shield scoring runs by the truckloads and snapping at his heels for an opening spot in the Sheffield Shield.

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All of Caleb Jewell, Henry Hunt, Sam Whiteman and Tim Ward could put their hand up to replace Warner should he be dropped, however, speaking to the media, coach McDonald said at this stage that wasn't part of the plan, despite the veteran's abysmal Test cricket average of 23 this calendar year.

"At this stage, we've got him in our plans for India," McDonald said.

"We'll see what happens in the next three Test matches, but at this stage, he's firmly in our thoughts for India."

Warner had ample opportunity to take the pressure off against the West Indies - a series Australia dominated - but he could only manage 5, 48, 21 and 28 across his four innings.

Poor foot movement was a catalyst of what appeared to be impatience at the crease for the Australian opener, who has been constantly in the news over his plight to have a leadership ban overturned.

Steve Smith admitted earlier this week that it had become a distraction, and despite his 7919 runs at 46.04, credits in the bank only go so far.

Adding to the issues for Warner is the fact that he averages just 26.04 from 13 Tests in England and 24.25 from 8 Tests in India.

Despite that, McDonald said he is backing the opener to rebound.

"His appetite for the work, in and around training, is still there," the coach said.

"He's busy at the crease, and you've seen signs that he is going well.

'He's just found different ways to get out, and sometimes that can happen. He's eager to continue on at this stage, he hasn't hinted anything else."

Australia's first Test against South Africa kicks off at the Gabba on Saturday, a ground where Warner has scored 960 runs at an average of 64 across his ten Tests, including four centuries and another two innings over the 50-run barrier.