Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell will wait for a detailed diagnosis of Darren Pattinson's back injury before finalising plans for the domestic season.
Patttinson spends English winters playing for Victoria in Australia but looks likely to miss the start of Nottinghamshire's campaign.
"We've spoken to Victoria but it's too early to rule him in or rule him out of specific matches," said Newell.
"We'll keep in contact with their medical team becaus he has been a key player for us in recent seasons."