Cannock chase victory

Hockey

Cannock start the defence of their National League title tomorrow when they entertain Havant, but like several other Premier League clubs, will be depleted by the absence of key players in Cagliari with the Welsh and Scottish squads for the preliminary World Cup competition.

Missing from Cannock will be four players, plus their manager and coach. David Mayer, the club secretary, said yesterday: "We have tried everything to get this fixture postponed, but the Association would not agree. Indeed, they will be missing for our first four League fixtures. However, we do not intend to compromise our attacking style. Bobby Crutchley and Chris Mayer both scored hat-tricks last weekend in The Hague and we are confident for Sunday's game."

Hounslow, visiting Chigwell to play Old Loughtonians, will be minus five Welsh players, but will be relieved to hear David Ralph has been called into the Scottish squad and along with Alasdair Seaton and Colin Hector will be missing from Loughtonians.

Southgate will be short of two key defenders when they travel to East Grinstead. Soma Singh is still recovering from a hernia operation, while James Duthie, the player-coach, has Achilles tendon problems.

Peter Gibbins and Rowan Davis will be making their debuts for Southgate, who will also welcome the former British international Peter Boxell and Dave Dixon, from Sydney. East Grinstead's growing number of Oxford University old boys has increased with the arrival of Peter Bell and Adam Laird.