White earns Great Britain call

Nicola White

HOCKEY:

OLDHAM’S Nicola White is in the England squad for next month’s Investec Challenge in South Africa.

White and Laura Unsworth are the only two from the Olympic bronze medal-winning team last summer.

They are joined by newcomers to the senior set–up, Giselle Ansley (Loughborough), Sarah Haycroft (Surbiton), Jo Hunter (Leicester), Joanna Leigh (Clifton), Hollie Webb and Ellie Watton (both Beeston), Steph Elliott (University of Durham), Sophie Bray (MOP, Holland) and Lauren Turner (HDM, Holland).

The squad will be led by Karen Brown, assistant coach to England and GB women since 2006.

England face South Africa in their opening match on February 4 before taking on Holland and Australia in the four–team tournament in Cape Town.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to look at new players for the next Olympic cycle, as well as providing an opportunity for some players who just missed Olympic selection," said Brown.