Martin Lee will step on court with a wide smile on his face should he get the call to play for Great Britain during the next three days.

The East Preston professional hopes having a laugh will see him through the toughest test of his career after being recalled to the Davis Cup squad for the Euro-African zone tie against Portugal, starting tomorrow in Birmingham.

The 23-year-old was last involved in the Davis Cup when when Britain won in the Ukraine more than three years ago.

He said: said: "Everyone gets nervous and I will be. I'll laugh and smile to release all the uptight emotions. That will also put doubts in the minds of my opponents.

"I'm smiling a lot more these days. I haven't smashed a racquet in 2001. I used to average 20 a year. I've trained my mind to focus, not to dwell on points I've missed."

Lee was this week preparing with teammates Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and Lee Childs.

The Brits are on a mission to restore their credibility following their humiliating defeat against Ecuador at Wimbledon last year that resulted in their relegation from the World Group.

Lee was called up last week to replace Arvind Parmar, who has suffered with a long term injury.

The Angmering Club member, who won the Wimbledon junior doubles four years ago, has edged up the rankings as a professional and reached a career high of 145 this week.

But standing before an 8,000 crowd at the NEC, with millions watching on TV, flying the flag and winning would tower above any of his past achievements.

Lee said: "I'm very happy to be a part of it. You are in the team, working and rooting for each other. here can be no greater honour than to be selected for your country. Yet with it comes the expectation.

"Most of the year you are thinking about yourself, but in Davis Cup you don't let yourself down if you fail, you let the whole country down. That's why it is the biggest test in tennis and will help me cope with anything else."

Lee, a former pupil at Worthing High, was by his own admission, a straight-faced, monosyllabic individual with an on-court attitude problem until this year.

He has emerged from his shell, lured out by the advice of a sports psychologist Gloria Budd and his new coach David Sammels. Lee is certainly at ease with himself and more articulate.

He said: "I am on a journey and that journey has only started this year because I've only now rid myself of negative emotions."

That statement might sound a little pretentious, but Lee has no airs and graces He just wants to help his career and, over the next three days, his country.

He goes into the tie bubbling after a month playing "the best tennis of my life", even earning a final spot in New Zealand.

He said: "It's a big bonus going in with a lot of confidence and that will show if I get a chance. But even if I don't get to play I won't be disappointed as long as the team wins.

"You've got to take it a step at a time and the first step has been to get into the four which gives me an opportunity to play.

"It is part of my progression which has been going along steadily for four years. It's easier to stay up there if you get there gradually.

"My ranking hasn't slipped, even when I've had injuries. My aim is to peak at 25 and I'm on schedule."

Lee is ranked around 250 places above Portugal's leading player, Bernardo Mota. It is a tie Britain should win.

Lee, who watched the shock defeat last summer, said: "Ecuador showed you can't take anyone lightly."

I caught up with him at the family home. He had just finished opening birthday presents, including a framed Argus picture of Lee the under-11s footballer with Worthing United.

Mum Barbara and dad Brian had not seen him since Boxing Day and his January 13 birthday passed somewhere on tour. He has been in Japan, Australia and New Zealand in the past month alone.

He has just had a short break in Sussex. He played golf, visited the greyhound track in Hove, watched videos, viewed tennis on the satellite channel and relaxed.

He said:"I love the game more now and I'm enjoying life."

Lee is coming of age in time to reap Cup success.