‘Skip Davis Cup tie', Leon Smith urges Andy Murray

Murray has already flown home from Melbourne following his shock exit to Mischa Zverev at the Australian Open.

The 29-year-old has been ever-present in GB’s Davis Cup setup over the past few years – missing only one tie since 2014 – but his early loss at the year’s opening Grand Slam could make him reconsider.

Unlike previous years, Smith has a solid stable to pick from. Dan Evans also made the fourth round in Australia, while Kyle Edmund led GB to victory over Serbia last year in Murray’s absence.

"To be honest, the best thing for his body is probably not to play, in my opinion," Smith said.

"Don't get me wrong - I'd love him to play. But, for his own good, it's better for him to rest up and train and get ready for this next period, because there won't be much time the rest of the year and this might be a really good time to do it.

"Once you play Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, then you hit the clay season and the grass season, there isn't much time. So this is probably the best time."

The tie runs from February 3-5.