Ferrero and Nadal pass

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

Team captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario also said on Friday that world-ranked number 31 Nicolas Almagro had been called up to the the Davis Cup team for the first time.

Tommy Robredo and Fernando Velasco complete the lineup. Fed Cup captain Miguel Margets kept faith with Anabel Medina, Lourdes Dominguez, Nuria Llagostera and Virginia Ruano for the quarter-final tie with Italy in Naples on February 2 and 3.

Italy have won three out of five Fed Cup ties between the two countries, including their last meeting at the semi-final stage in Zaragoza in 2006.