Andy Murray faces demanding Davis Cup schedule in Croatia

Andy Murray took under two hours to beat Florian Mayer of Germany in his third-round match (Justin Lane/EPA)

Andy Murray may play on all three days of Britain's Davis Cup World Group play-off away to Croatia next week after Leon Smith, the captain, named a four-man team which contains only one doubles specialist, Colin Fleming. Although Murray is an excellent doubles player, playing three best-of-five-set matches on successive days on clay, a surface which has aggravated his back problems in the past, could be a major challenge.

Dan Evans and James Ward complete the line-up and will vie for the No 2 singles spot behind Murray. However, Smith is considering taking a second doubles specialist to Umag. Up to two players can be changed in the line-up at any time until the day before the tie starts a week on Friday.

Croatia are weakened by the absence of their best player, Marin Cilic, who has not competed since unconfirmed reports emerged that he has failed a drugs test. Ivan Dodig, the world No 38, will lead the home team, which is completed by Antonio Veic (world No 187), Mate Pavic (No 370) and Borna Coric (No 600). Pavic and 16-year-old Coric would be making Davis Cup debuts.