Kiefer returns for Germany's Davis Cup tie against Spain

BERLIN (Reuters) - Nicolas Kiefer will return to the Davis Cup after an absence of more than two years when Germany play Spain in the quarter-finals from April 11-13, German captain Patrik Kuehnen announced on Tuesday.

Kiefer, who has not played in the competition since February 2006, will be joined in the singles by Philipp Kohlschreiber, currently Germany's top ranked player at number 27.

Philipp Petzschner and Michael Berrer make up the four-man squad for the tie to be played on a fast indoor court at the AWD Dome in Bremen.

Tommy Haas had already said he would not be fit enough to join the team.

The 30-year-old Kiefer, who reached a career-high singles ranking of number four back in 2000, recovered from a serious wrist injury to finish last year strongly.

He has had more fitness problems this year and stands at number 51 in the rankings. His most recent defeat was against Spain's Rafael Nadal in Miami.

"Nicolas is on his way back to the top," Kuehnen said in a statement.

"Tommy told me he was not 100 percent yet, but obviously he'll be crossing his fingers for the team and hoping for an appearance in the semi-finals."