Hockey: Player power gives India a problem

GREAT BRITAIN arrived in Barcelona last night for the Four Nations' Tournament still uncertain of their programme for the next four days following the withdrawal on Tuesday of India, writes Bill Colwill.

It seems likely that they will play Belgium later today and again tomorrow before finishing with a game on Sunday against Spain.

India's decision appears to be due to selection problems following the defeat by South Korea in the final of the recent Asian Games.

A series of setbacks since winning their last major title at the Moscow Olympics has done considerable damage to the morale and confidence of India's players who have refused to take part in this tournament following the suspension of two players, Jude Felix and Dhanraj Pillay, who were missing from the Asian Games because of their involvement with French clubs.

Simon Mason, the 20-year- old Firebrands goalkeeper, is the only uncapped player in the British squad. Three other players already capped by England - Bob Crutchley, Phil McGuire and Matthew Sutton - will be representing Britain for the first time.

Jon Potter, England's most capped player, and Havant's Rob Hill and Sean Rowlands have made themselves unavailable for Britain's matches.

GREAT BRITAIN SQUAD: J Shaw (capt), S Singh (Southgate), J Laslett, S Nicklin, P McGuire (Teddington), R Davis (Harleston Magpies), D Williams (Havant), S Mason (Firebrands), D Luckes (East Grinstead), R Garcia (Polo Club de Barcelona), M Sutton (Bournville), J Halls (Old Loughtonians), P Bolland, R Crutchley, R Thompson (Hounslow), C Mayer (Cannock).