Hockey: Cannock's fear for frozen assets

SECOND-PLACED Cannock may suffer unduly for England's 2-0 defeat by the Netherlands in frozen conditions near Utrecht on Wednesday evening. Having contributed five players to the party and with Craig Parnham out with a broken hand, they may find this afternoon's league game at Hounslow tough going.

For their fourth round cup game tomorrow at home to Harrogate, however, they may be strengthened by the return of their 19-year-old England international Michael Johnson, who has been out with a hamstring injury. He trained on Thursday evening and could be in the squad.

League leaders Canterbury, who surprisingly had no one in the England party, travel to Birmingham to play newcomers Bournville in the league and tomorrow they entertain Pelicans, from East Anglia, at Polo Farm. The Canterbury manager, Sean Kerly, confirmed: "No injury problems but the danger after two recent wins against Reading and Southgate could be complacency."

Three Surrey clubs could be making cup news tomorrow. Old Cranleighans entertain Bournville while Old Georgians, who have recruited a number of experienced players in the past couple of seasons alongside a crop of promising youngsters in their attempts to reach the National League, visit Robinsons - the Bristol side who are looking to their third successive play-offs this season.

Surbiton, who led the way in the First Division for several weeks, entertain Premier Division Teddington in what might provide the match of the round.