Stepanek eyes Davis Cup comeback

PRAGUE, Aug 14 (Reuters) Radek Stepanek has ended his self-imposed Davis Cup exile and will return to the Czech team for next month's World Group playoff against Switzerland, the CTK news agency reported today.

''I am glad he returned to the team, the past is forgotten.

We have spoken with each other and all has been agreed,'' Czech captain Jaroslav Navratil was quoted as saying by CTK.

Stepanek quit the Davis Cup team three years ago after clashing with then captain Cyril Suk.

The 28-year-old concentrated on his individual career and climbed to the eighth in the ATP rankings in July 2006.

But after injuring his back last August, he was sidelined for several months. He has since worked his way back to 36th in the world.

The Czechs will also have 12th-ranked Tomas Berdych for the Sept 21-23 tie against the Swiss.

REUTERS PDS BST2154