MADRID - WORLD number one Rafael Nadal will miss the July 10 to 12 Davis Cup quarter-final meeting with Germany in Marbella, with the Spanish Tennis Federation on Tuesday unveiling a squad containing Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo and Feliciano Lopez.

Nicolas Almagro will be the reserve as Nadal, forced to sit out a Wimbledon with knee trouble, 'is not too good and he needs rest,' according to Spanish team skipper Albert Costa.

Spain won the trophy for the third time last year - also in Nadal's absence - beating Argentina.

Even without him they will be favourites on clay to oust the Germans at Puerto Banus, Marbella, on the Costa del Sol.

But Costa forecast a 'tough and close' match against the likes of Nicolas Kiefer and Philipp Kohlschreiber. -- AFP