Murray delays decision on wrist

The British number one faces tests on his damaged right wrist tomorrow, and is hoping the results indicate he will be able to return to training by the end of the week.

Although Gilbert says Murray has already "pulled the plug on the clay-court season", the 20-year-old is not giving up on hopes of competing on the clay of Roland Garros.

The French Open begins in Paris in seven days' time, on May 27, and Murray's wrist is currently in a cast, making his participation appear highly unlikely.

But the Scottish youngster is trying to be optimistic.

"I went to see the doctor a few days ago and had an x-ray," Murray told his website, www.andymurray.com.

"No broken bones so that's good but I had a lot of inflammation which made it hard to read, so I got a cast and will wear it until I go for a second scan on Monday.

"I will make a decision on the French Open and grass season once I have a better idea of what the injury is and how long it is going to take to heal which I will hopefully have a better idea of on Monday."

While Murray hopes for good news, there remains the remote possibility of the injury threatening his involvement in the grass-court season.

But despite Murray and Gilbert having apparently contrasting views of the current situation, the American coach has his fingers crossed that his young charge's lay-off will be quite short.

Gilbert had said of Murray: "He's pulled the plug on the clay-court season and we're hoping he'll be back and ready to compete at Queen's in a few weeks."

If he misses the French Open, Murray should have a fortnight of competition to find form for Wimbledon.

British hopes of long-awaited Wimbledon glory will inevitably rest on the Scot, who has taken on that pressure from four-time losing semi-finalist Tim Henman, now a fading force in the game.

And should the Paris trip be called off, Murray will have only two grass-court tournaments - the Artois Championships and the Boodles Challenge - in which to recover match sharpness.

The world number 10 sustained the wrist injury during his first-round match against Filippo Volandri in Hamburg on Tuesday, from which he retired in agony.

The Artois Championships at Queen's Club in London begin on June 11, a fortnight before Wimbledon starts, with the Boodles exhibition event in Buckinghamshire taking place from June 19-23.

Murray lost his opener on grass at Queen's Club last year, but then enjoyed three magnificent months which saw him climb from 45th in the world into the top 20.

He reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year, knocking out Andy Roddick in straight sets in a memorable third-round match before losing to Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, who advanced to the semi-finals.