LTA not seeking big name for Davis Cup

John Lloyd stepped down as captain earlier this month (GETTY)

The Lawn Tennis Association are not looking for a big name to replace former Great Britain Davis Cup captain John Lloyd, according to chief executive Roger Draper.

Lloyd resigned following the dismal defeat to Lithuania which leaves them facing a July play-off against Turkey to avoid relegation to the lowest tier of the competition.

Former Davis Cup players Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman have been linked with the post but Draper hinted the LTA were seeking someone already in the coaching system.

"We don't need a big name, we want somebody who is embedded in British tennis," Draper told BBC Sport.

"It's a great opportunity for some young British coaches to come through."

Whoever gets the job will have to persuade Britain's best player Andy Murray to play on a regular basis.

World number three Murray missed the Lithuania encounter and currently participates on a tie-by-tie basis.

Draper insists he is happy with that arrangement as the Scot performing well on the ATP Tour will have greater long-term benefits.

He said: "[Murray] enjoys playing Davis Cup but his priority has got to be winning grand slams and major titles - that will get more people playing the game and it will inspire the next generation."

Such is the parlous state of British tennis currently that Draper has asked player director Steven Martens to conduct an internal review.

Martens will present his initial findings to the LTA board today, the same day Draper goes before the All-Party Parliamentary Tennis Group to explain how the LTA spends the £27m it receives in public funding from Sport England for grass roots projects.

"We know there are things that need to be improved but we're also very clear about the things that are going well," Draper said.

"This is a chance to have a balanced exchange of views with the panel.

"We have a contract with Sport England for the community funding until 2012 and we're bang on track with it."