The off-colour Lee, who took only one wicket in the two Tests against South Africa, has a stress "hot spot" on his left ankle and will have to undergo a clean-up surgery.

"I've got total confidence in Brett. You saw the way he led the attack when Shane (Warne) and myself retired. I think he did an exceptional job there. I'm not more sure how he is going at the moment. So hopefully 'Binga' (Lee) has a good rest, gets the problem sorted and gets fit and strong again and hopefully comes back to his best," McGrath, who has 563 Test wickets, was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press.

The 38-year-old retired great also expressed concern about Lee's ankle injury, which has ruled him out of Australia's squad for the third Test against South Africa, starting on Saturday in Sydney.

"I'm not sure how he is going at the moment.Obviously stress fractures in his foot is not a good thing. I know when I tried to bowl with a few ankle problems it was a nightmare and to go into a game not 100 per cent is tough work. It's up to him how much he wants it really," McGrath said.

McGrath praised left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who has emerged as the new spearhead of the Australian attack. "I think the way Mitchell Johnson has bowled this year has been sensational. He has always had the potential and now he's got the confidence. He's done some great work this year, so hopefully the young fellows can work around him," he said.

Meanwhile, the former pacer has urged all the cricket fans to wear pink bandana and pink dress during the third Test at the SCG to convey support for his McGrath Foundation which works to raise awareness about breast cancer.

"I'll be picking up my bandana from the volunteers and wearing my best pink shirt and tie for the day, and I hope all cricket fans can do the same," McGrath said.

"We've already had fantastic support from 3 Mobile and Cricket Cares in making the match as pink as possible, whether its stumps, grass signage or player shirts. The next part is involving cricket fans heading to the ground," McGrath added.