The number two Serb skipped his title defence at the Miami Masters due to an elbow injury but began training on clay at the weekend as his Serb prepare to face Spain. He tweeted out his progress: “Belgrade, here we come.”
Djokovic will be joined by Viktor Troicki, Dusan Lajovic and playing captain Nenad Zimonjic. Missing from the visiting side will be Miami finalist Rafael Nadal, who is sure to return for the Monte Carlo Masters starting on Easter.
In addition to the Serbia-Spain clash, Australia face the US in Brisbane with captain Lleyton Hewitt hoping that Miami semi-finalist Nick Kyrgios can make the turn after travelling halfway around the world to get to the tie.
Belgium host Italy at Charleroi with David Goffin and Steve Darcis onside against a visiting side missing Fabio Fognini.
In Rouen, it looks all uphill for Britain with Andy Murray out for an undetermined period with a shoulder injury and the French minus injured Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (new father) and Richard Gasquet (recovering from appendix surgery).
Lucas Pouille and Gilles Simon will try to take up the slack for skipper Yannick Noah. British captain Leon Smith will substitute Kyle Edmund and Kyle Edmund in singles.
Noah told British media that he is not being lulled into false security despite a weakened visitor line-up on the clay. “The British team are not the same without Andy but on the other hand, the French team are also much weaker without Tsonga, Monfils and Gasquet,” he said.
“The four potential singles players are all in the same situation – they did not win a lot of matches in the last weeks, so their confidence level is quite low and we know how Davis Cup is tough on the nerves. When you lack confidence and get nervous, there is danger.”