Indian Wells, California  - Roger Federer and Darren Cahill will debut a "dream team" lineup as the Australian takes the coaching reins with the Swiss at the Indian Wells Masters which begins on Wednesday.

Federer's management confirmed that Cahill, former mentor to Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi, will work together for an unspecified time.

The 43-year-old Australian and the world number 2 have a psychological bond going back more than a decade.

Cahill was an Adelaide childhood mate of the late Peter Carter, Federer's first coach in Basel who died in a South African car smash in August, 2002.

The basis of Federer's mighty game was forged in the classic Australian style, with guru Tony Roche putting on the polishing touches a few seasons ago when Federer ruled the sport, accumulating six of his 13 major titles.

Federer has been out of tennis for six weeks with a back problem; he has also taken the time to work on his form as he bids to win his first title of the season and continues his quest for the record 14 Grand Slam trophies held by Pete Sampras.

"The two have met in Dubai and played a few balls together," Federer's agent Tony Godsick told German magazine Blick. "It's a test for both.

"We can't yet say whether it will be long-term. They'll work together now and see it works out. It's a trial. Now that Roger's had a break, anyway, because of his back, the timing was perfect for the test."

Cahill guided Hewitt to the youngest-ever teenaged world number 1 while Agassi at 33 became the oldest to top the table.

Federer is seeded second in the Californian desert behind Rafael Nadal, who charged back into action as he led Spain in Davis Cup weekend play.

The Swiss won Indian Wells three years in a row, the last in 2006. Nadal is defending the honours at the Tennis Garden. (dpa)