Davis Cup main objectove for David Nalbandian

Argentina's former world number three David Nalbandian has targeted the Davis Cup as a main objective as he steps up his return from a seven-month injury layoff at an exhibition tournament in Buenos Aires this weekend.

The 2002 Wimbledon runner-up, who made a winning return to action at an exhibition tournament last week, has been sidelined with a hip injury since May, and has been recovering from surgery in August.

"The first issue is to make it through these first four months," the 27-year-old told a news conference.

"I have to be careful and time will tell what goals I can set. But obviously the Davis Cup is still a clear objective; after that, the big tournaments."

Nalbandian is set to return to the ATP Tour at the January 11-16 Auckland Open to complete his preparations for the Australian Open, starting in Melbourne the following weekend.

"I don't think I'll have problems with the short tournaments but the Grand Slams are two weeks," he added.

"I start in Australia, which is not ideal, but I feel like I can play. For now, I still have the same goals because I think I'm going to feel good. I still have high hopes."

Nalbandian, who has reached the semi-finals of all four grand slam events as well as winning the ATP World Tour Finals in 2005, is ranked 64th in the world.

Argentina face Sweden in their World Group first-round tie in Stockholm in March.