Andy Murray will return to playing this month in an expected partnership with Feliciano Lopez at the Fever Tree Championship at Queen's Club.

The three-time grand slam winner had a hip-resurfacing operation in January as he attempts to overcome a problem that first occurred in the summer of 2017.

Murray had a first operation in January 2018 and returned to action at Queen's Club last summer but played only six tournaments last season and was in pain throughout. He then underwent a hip-resurfacing procedure earlier this year.

The tournament has confirmed Murray's intention to play, and it is believed the Spanish left-hander Lopez will be his partner.

His last appearance came at the Australian Open, losing to Roberto Bautista Agut in a gruelling five-set match in the first round, but has said since his surgery that he would love to be able to play at Wimbledon in July.

That now looks like a possibility with Murray, who had previously announced that he was going to retire, having said that he was "pain-free" after returning to hitting a ball.

"There's no pain any more." he said in April. "I'm happy, pain-free and enjoying my life.

"I've been hitting a few balls from a stationary position. I'm still quite a long way from testing it properly, running around a court.

"I just have to see what happens. I don't feel any pressure that I need to come back but if my body feels good and I'm pain-free then I'll give it a go."