Spain coach backs Rafa

"The difficult thing for him about this tie is that he has been training on hard surfaces for the last four months and playing on clay for two weeks and then going back to hard courts would require a great effort," Sanchez-Vicario told sports daily AS on Tuesday.

"With his present physical limitations changes of surface are not recommended."

Nadal, who has experienced intermittent problems with an injury to his left foot since 2005, reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he was beaten by unseeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Spain will also be without Juan Carlos Ferrero after the former world number one decided to concentrate on the hardcourt season.

"He decided not to come because playing on clay didn't fit in with his plans," said Sanchez-Vicario.

"I always try to select the best team. I tried to convince the best players to come but it is a difficult year because of the Davis Cup and the Olympics and it isn't the best time for any player.

"I respect their decisions as I was a player too and I know about these situations."

World number five David Ferrer will spearhead the Spanish challenge in Nadal's absence for the World Group first round tie which will be played on clay at the Jockey Club in Lima between February 8 and 10.

Tommy Robredo, Fernando Verdasco and Nicolas Almagro complete the Spanish line-up.