KEY POINTS:
Mark Nielsen has been rushed back into the New Zealand Davis Cup tennis team after serving a two-year drugs ban.
He was today named in the team to play an Asia-Oceania group two second round tie against Kuwait in Kuwait on April 11-13.
Nielsen was banned for two years in 2006 after testing positive for masking agent Finasteride.
He did not appeal against the decision, because of the prohibitive costs, but said it was part of a prescription hair loss product he had been using for three years.
Finasteride can be used as a masking agent for steroids. It is commonly found in hair-restoration products and has led to a spate of doping cases.
Nielsen, whose ban expired this month, joins a team containing Daniel King-Turner, GD Jones and Rubin Statham.
Team captain James Greenhalgh is delighted with the team and is looking forward to the tie.
"It's great to have the three younger players all in career best form and in the team, as well as for Mark to make it back after an extended absence," Greenhalgh said.
"It will be a tough tie in Kuwait and the guys and I can't wait to get there."
Victory over Kuwait would ensure New Zealand a home tie for the group two final in September against either China or Indonesia.
- NZPA
