Tennis Ireland's hopes in this month's European Team championships received a setback as some of the top players are ruled out.
The women's event gets under way in Bjarred, Sweden, tomorrow while the men go into action in Filothei, Greece, on November 30th.
Tennis Ireland's Des Allen explained: "The sweet part is that we have so many players out there on the international circuits trying to make it. The bitter aspect is that the team will be without them. It would be unfair to ask any of them to return."
The notable absentees are circuit-tied Kelly Liggan, Peter Clarke, John Doran and Stephen Nugent. A re-occurrence of her shin splints injury keeps Yvonne Doyle out of action while Owen Casey cannot travel due to domestic reasons.
The selectors have, however, named two capable sides with Scott Barron heading the men's challenge following his success in the ITF Futures tournament in Mississippi last week. Conor Niland and George McGill join Barron.
Liggan, a major loss to the women's team, has opted to remain on the US circuit in search of continued success. She has become the highest ranked Irish woman (237) and aims to make the draw for the Australian Open by getting down to 220. The women's line up is Karen Nugent, Elsa O'Riain, Ann Marie Hogan and Gina Niland.
Peter Lowther is the captain for the women's first division event against Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and Ukraine. The men's team face Yugoslavia, Slovak Republic, Malta and Greece.
