Scott Barron faces a major battle to regain his place as Ireland's number one tennis player following his slide down the ATP rankings. The talented Dubliner, who has had a lengthy lay-off through injury, was named yesterday in Ireland's team to play in the Davis Cup in Malta next month, but he cannot be guaranteed the top singles spot. Owen Casey's success in the ITF Futures International ATP points tournament in Dublin last summer enabled him to overtake Barron on the world rankings.

Barron's slow healing knee injury has cost him dearly but it is understood that he is to appeal to the ITF to have his ranking restored to where it was prior to his injury.

The official Davis Cup ruling is: "The referee shall decide the order of merit within each national team based on the ATP tour rankings dated seven days before the tournament."

The Irish team is completed by Harvard University student, John Doran, with Peter Wright as non-playing captain. Competition in Division One is over five days (December 2nd-6th) against Belgium, Denmark, Malta, Poland and Portugal.