Russia's Marat Safin hopes to kick-start his injury-ravaged season at next week's $380,000 Mercedes Benz Cup in Los Angeles, his coach said on Tuesday.

"It has been a difficult year for Marat so far," said Denis Golovanov. "But we think he has recovered well enough to start playing again.

"He has been practicing for the past week in Moscow and tomorrow we'll fly out to Los Angeles."

Safin has not played since late April after aggravating a wrist injury he first sustained during the Australian Open in January.

He also suffered an ankle injury earlier this year, causing him to miss Russia's Davis Cup campaign which ended with a humiliating 5-0 quarter-final defeat by Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Safin has played eight tournaments this year and the former world number one's ranking has slumped. Last month he dropped out of the top 20 for the first time since 2000 -- the year he won the U.S. Open, beating Pete Sampras in the final.

The 23-year-old is currently in 50th place in the ATP Tour's Champions Race.

His best showing this year came in Barcelona in April, but even then he was undone by yet another injury, forcing him to retire from the final against Carlos Moya.

"He needs to build up his confidence once again in order for him to start winning again," Golovanov said.

"We'll just have to wait and see how it goes but if he is lucky enough to put together a good winning streak in America then he may prepare himself for a good run at the U.S. Open.

"The season is definitely not over yet and Marat feels that there is still time for him to do well this year," he added.