Tough test for depleted Surbiton

Several National League clubs suffer further disruptions this weekend to their Championship dreams, with the absence of their Scottish internationals added to the enforced resting of their Olympians.

Several National League clubs suffer further disruptions this weekend to their Championship dreams, with the absence of their Scottish internationals added to the enforced resting of their Olympians.

In addition to their three Olympians, Surbiton, the current Premier League leaders, will tomorrow be without James Burns and Kevin Squire, on a Scottish training weekend, and their captain Martin Dye who was injured last week, for their clash with defending champions Cannock in the day's top game. Cannock will be missing their three from Sydney for a game which is considerably devalued.

Southgate's two Scottish internationals, Graham Joyce and Gavin Markham, will however be playing in their home game against Canterbury. A club spokesman pointed out that they were contracted to Southgate. The Middlesex club also welcome back England's Duncan Woods from injury.

The women's top fixture today will be the visit of Ipswich to High Wycombe to play Slough who, with Sarah Kelleher, the Irish international, back in the fold, will be looking to reclaim some of their old glories.

The significance of Great Britain's poor performance at the Sydney Olympics has hit home - England for the first time in several years have not been invited to play in the Azlan Shah tournament next August in Kuala Lumpur.