TENNIS: A clampdown by US universities over the release of players for Davis Cup duty in April has thrown Tennis Ireland plans into disarray.

As a result, Ireland will struggle to put the best team on court for the Euro African group tie against Finland in Helsinki later this month.

Limerick's Conor Niland is the key Irish player affected by the restriction. The Limerick man operates as the number one player at the University of California. His most recent success in the university ranking competition over an Australia's Scot Douner, ranked fourth overall in the US, 6-4 6-3 in Texas on Sunday underlines Tennis Ireland's predicament.

Niland is climbing the collegiate ladder and is now ranked as the 11th overall.

Eoin Heavey and Barry King are also affected by the US restriction.

In addition, Louk Sorensen has lost out in match practice due to injury.