Hockey: Slough stripped bare by England calls and injury

It looks like being a call to arms for Slough's manager, Sue Chandler, and the coach, Lesley Hobble, as the club's casualty list continues to grow and their four England players, who depart for Australia tomorrow, are not available.

Their striker Purdy Miller has received a call-up for the trip to replace Clifton's Helen Grant, who has a knee injury. The Slough goalkeeper Lynnette Smith, absent last week with a hamstring injury, is fit, but Smith said: "Who knows where I might have to play. We are so short."

Today, Slough visit the bottom club, Ipswich, who have yet to win this the season, and then have a tricky third-round Cup game away to Loughborough Students tomorrow.

The Premier Division's surprise leaders, Chelmsford, ahead of Canterbury at the top on goal difference - play at home today to Hightown and could move clear if the Kent club fail to win at Olton.

The absence of Greta Britain players seems to be making less of an impact for the men. The high-scoring, unbeaten leaders, Cannock travel to Surbiton for a top-of-the-table game while third-placed Reading entertain lowly Teddington.

Tomorrow, the newly promoted leaders, Bowdon, coached by Southgate's former international wing-half Nick Clarke, visit the currently pointless Southgate, who are now in their second season in the First Division.