Take the British No.1 in singles, the British No.1 in doubles, a six-time grand-slam semi-finalist and a former world No.4 and what do you have? The answer, much to the delight of its captain, John Lloyd, is the Great Britain Davis Cup team.

Andy and Jamie Murray are both the best in their country at what they do, and Henman's return to the Davis Cup fold has rightly been welcomed by all involved in the cause. However, it is Lloyd's faith in Greg Rusedski which has become a talking point, especially since he guaranteed the 33-year-old world No.245 a place in the squad for Great Britain's tie against the Netherlands in Birmingham next month.

Rusedski has played just one match this year, only three competitive ones in total since Great Britain beat the Ukraine last September and has a chronic hip injury. He emerged from semi-retirement only this week to play at a Challenger tournament in Sarajevo, where he lost in straight sets to Kenneth Carlsen, yet Lloyd has absolute faith that Rusedski can still assist the Murray brothers and Henman in getting Great Britain out of the Davis Cup second division and into the World Group, the top tier. A win against the Netherlands and another victory in September is all it will take.

"His ranking may have dropped but look what he's done in the game," said Lloyd. "Would it be much better if he had played more matches? Of course it would, as it would with Tim in an ideal scenario, but these guys, they are a hardened professionals and it doesn't take them long to get back into shape. I don't have any worries about Greg. He's a great utility man if nothing else, and he may be more than that, who knows, because you never know with injuries and things."

He is well aware of Rusedski's impressive Davis Cup record and his tally of 29 wins in 42 ties (including nine wins in 10 doubles matches with Henman) convinces Lloyd that the man currently ranked seventh in the British rankings in singles can complement the Murrays and Henman at the heart of a six- man squad.

"The way I look at it is that you've got Greg's experience in singles and you've got his experience in doubles. He's done it in singles, he's done it in doubles and I'm not going to discard him yet, not when he wants to do it. And I know that when he wants something, he's 110% committed and I'll know he'll run through a brick wall."

With Henman back playing for his country for the first time in two-and-a-half years, Rusedski is most likely to feature in the doubles in Birmingham, though he could be called in as singles cover if the match is still live on the third day.

Lloyd is also looking ahead to what is likely to be a far tougher promotion match in September, when he is likely to need all the help he can get. "I haven't spoken to Greg enough about the plans for the next one but I'm almost sure, knowing Greg, that he certainly won't want to play just this one. I would be shocked if we win this match and he says: That's enough for me.' "If he plays in this match, I'm counting on him for September too. I want all of our squad to be there for the whole year. I don't want them just to play one match. If we win this one and get a home draw in September, I can't imagine Greg not wanting to be there."

Rusedski's presence in the squad gives Lloyd a number of options for doubles. He could revive Henman and Rusedski's partnership, put the Murray brothers together or try to build on the success Henman and Andy Murray have had at the Pacific Life Open this week, where they are into the third round of the doubles and still going strong. And that's just for starters.

"When you're playing with someone like Andy, who misses a return of serve about once a week, and you've got Tim, who goes across the net, then you've got a lovely combination there," said Lloyd. "I think Tim could play with anybody and play well. I think Andy could. I think Jamie could. I think Greg could. I've got options up the wazoo and I love that."