However, Henman, who has been out of action since undergoing a shoulder operation last month, has said that he will not compete unless he is fully fit.

"I have been doing my rehab for two weeks and have been building it up fairly cautiously and with no complaints," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I would like to think, given another couple of weeks, I shall be back on court hitting balls with my preparation firmly under way for Australia.

"Right now it is 70-30, if not 80-20, that I shall be getting on the flight to Australia on New Year's Day to go out and start my preparations Down Under.

"Although both the Australian Open and the Davis Cup are massively important, if the shoulder is not ready it is not ready.

"Having played for three months when it wasn't right, and appreciating how tough this game is when you are healthy, then I am not interested in playing any more when I am not right.

"I don't think I will take any chances. I want to make sure I am fit because otherwise I am not doing myself justice and I am certainly not going to do Great Britain justice," he said.