West Indies will be prepared to gamble on embattled opener Chris Gayle for the third and final Digicel Test at Kensington Oval, starting next Thursday.

Gayle missed the first two Tests in Jamaica and Antigua, respectively, with a groin injury and has not played now since the One-Day International series against Sri Lanka, which finished in April.

"Providing he feels as though it's not going to be further damaged throughout the Test," West Indies coach John Dyson said.

"He might have to put up with a little bit of discomfort and we'll get the opinion from the medical team. If they say 'look, we don't think it will be damaged and he is able to play', it's worth the risk then."

With Gayle unable to play, West Indies have struggled at the top order to get decent starts. The left-handed Devon Smith has failed in both Tests and his opening partner in the first Test, Brenton Parchment, was dropped for the second match in Antigua after scores of nine and 15.

Xavier Marshall got a half-century in the Antigua Test to raise hopes but Gayle's absence has been glaring.

Dyson said despite Gayle's lack of match practice, he would still be relatively prepared for the Oval Test.

"He's been in the nets. Even during the injury in the rehabilitation phase of the injury, he's been in the nets and has been hitting the ball very well in the nets," the former Australian Test opener said.