Warsaw, Poland, 12 September 2013 | AAP

Australia has received a huge boost in its quest to return to the Davis Cup World Group with Polish star Jerzy Janowicz ruled out of this week’s crunch play-off tie in Warsaw.

Janowicz, ranked 14th, will be replaced by 113th-ranked Michal Przysiezny, who will face Bernard Tomic in the second singles rubber scheduled for Friday.

Wimbledon semifinalist Janowicz on Thursday succumbed to an ongoing back problem that hampered him during a short first-round exit at the US Open.

Poland, chasing a place in the top 16 for the first time, gave Janowicz until match eve to prove his fitness but the 22-year-old ultimately made the call himself.

“My participation in matches would pose a threat not only to my health but also to the interest of the team,” Janowicz said in a statement.

“I believe that Michal will successfully substitute for me.”