By Andrew Fraser BBC Sport Online

Greg Rusedski has given himself a chance of playing in January's Australian Open by returning to full training.

The British number two has not competed since the US Open in September after having an operation on a heel injury.

But he is still hopeful of being fit for the first Grand Slam of 2003, which begins in Melbourne on 13 January.

We just have to take it week by week to see how fit they are Roger Taylor on Henman and Rusedski

"Greg is just starting to practice again now and we won't know just how fit he feels until he's had more time on court," Great Britain's Davis Cup coach Roger Taylor told BBC Sport Online.

"There was a problem with the tendon down the back of the heel and he had an operation to clear that.

"He had similar problems with his right foot a couple of years ago and it took a long time to sort out so this time he had an operation.

"He's really just trying it out again and he's only been hitting for about three days."

Rusedski's return follows the news that Tim Henman is optimistic about being ready for Melbourne after a shoulder injury.

But Taylor faces an anxious wait to see if his key duo will be ready for the Davis Cup clash with Australia from 7-9 February.

"We have always relied on them so much and they are still clearly the best two players," he said.

"If they are fit then they would be carrying the workload but it's early days at the moment to speculate on their fitness.

"We just have to take it week by week.

"The deadline for naming the team is 10 days before the tie so we've got a little bit of time to see how they are coming along."