A shoulder injury will restrict Germany's veteran Tommy Haas to the doubles for this weekend's Davis Cup World Group first round match against Spain, which starts Friday.
Spain are without both world number one Rafael Nadal and fifth ranked David Ferrer on Frankfurt's hard courts where a place in April's quarter-finals is at stake.
The injury means the 35-year-old Haas will only play in Saturday's doubles rubber with Daniel Brands, leaving Philipp Kohlschreiber and Florian Mayer to play in Friday's singles.
"I'm ready to give my all for the team but the most important thing is that we get a win in Frankfurt," said Haas, ranked 12th in the world, who has said he may play in a singles rubber on Sunday.
The opening rubber sees Germany's Kohlschreiber, ranked 27th in the world, take on Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, ranked 52nd, while Mayer will be up against Feliciano Lopez, ranked 26th.
Spain beat Germany in the quarter-finals in 2009.
"We have a good chance because we have a strong team with good characters and we're playing at home," said Germany captain Carsten Arriens.
Fixtures (in GMT)
Friday (from 1300)
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)
Florian Mayer (GER) v Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
Saturday (from 1200)
Daniel Brands/Tommy Haas (GER) v Fernando Verdasco/David Marrero (ESP)
Sunday (from 1200)
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) v Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
Florian Mayer (GER) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)
Source: AFP
