Rafael Nadal will not be fully fit when he returns from an eight-month absence this week, according to his coach.
The former world number one will partner Juan Monaco in the first round of the VTR Open doubles on Tuesday as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.
Nadal, who has not played since his shock second-round Wimbledon exit to Lukas Rosol in June 2012, is also scheduled to compete in the singles tournament in Chile.
Coach and uncle Toni Nadal has claimed that his nephew's condition is improving, but admitted that the 11-time Grand Slam champion is still not fully fit.
He said: "The knee is much better, but they've told us he will feel some discomfort and lack of mobility until the end of the month. But it's definitely getting better.
"His game is much better than when we got here. It was better yesterday and even better today. We're looking to the doubles as an added test."
Spaniard Nadal and Argentine Monaco will play Czech second seeds Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy on Tuesday.
Joe Fish
