While world number one Andy Murray’s absence from next month’s Davis Cup quarter-final against France will be a big loss, Great Britain captain Leon Smith is confident the rest of the team can step up and deliver a performance.
Murray is recovering from an elbow injury that forced him to pull out of this week’s Miami Open, and Smith revealed that it will now keep him out of the France tie, which takes place in Rouen from April 7-9.
Dan Evans and Kyle Edmund will fill the two singles spots for the tie, with Murray’s brother Jamie teaming up with Dom Inglot for the double’s rubber.
And while captain Smith admitted he would rather have Murray in the side, he wished him all the best in his recovery.
"He’s a big loss to our team,” said Smith – who led Britain to the title in 2015.
"Most importantly we all wish him well for a speedy recovery back to full health and fitness.
"I know that he would really want to be here with the rest of the team.”
The tie will be played on an indoor clay court at the Kindarena, with the squad the same as that which beat Canada in the World Group first round tie last month.
And Smith is confident that, despite Murray’s absence, the players at his disposal can still get a result against a talented French side.
"In Dan and Kyle we have two top-50 singles players who are improving all the time on the tour and both with games capable of upsetting higher ranked opponents,” he added.
"Jamie and Dom once again combine as our doubles team and will draw much confidence after performing so well recently to win key rubbers against Serbia and Canada to defeat Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil.
"This is a team with significant Davis Cup experience now and these guys have all stepped up and delivered performances at the very top of the competition."
Full squad to face France (rankings correct as of w/c March 27):
Dan Evans (world singles ranked 43)
Kyle Edmund (world singles ranked 45)
Jamie Murray (world doubles ranked 7)
Dom Inglot (world doubles ranked 43)
Sportsbeat 2017