Goalkeeper Tyler Lovell will have extra pep in his step as he prepares for his first match for Australia since the birth of his baby daughter.
Lovell had been granted leave across the opening rounds of the Pro League to spend time with his wife and bub but is one of six new faces for the Kookaburras’ match with Spain in Sydney this weekend.
He is joined in the squad by Blake Govers, Lachlan Sharp, Tim Howard, Jack Welsh and Dylan Wotherspoon, whilst Andrew Charter, Andrew Kleinschmidt, Flynn Ogilvie, Josh Simmonds, Tom Wickham and Corey Weyer make way.
Kookaburras coach Colin Batch said: “We wanted to give opportunities and we’ve done that in the early part of the FIH Pro League.
“Now we’re starting to narrow with players who are in-form. It’s still a mixture of form and providing opportunity to younger players who are playing well and who will benefit with every experience at this level.”
Lovell will be joined in Pro League action by fellow WA athletes Jake Harvie, Trent Mitton and co-captain Aran Zalewski.
The Hockeyroos have similarly made changes to their squad as they prepare for a clash with the USA in Sydney with co-captain Jodie Kenny leading the inclusions after a quad injury saw her miss the past three matches.
Kenny is joined by goalkeeper Ashlee Wells and Kristina Bates in the 18-member team, with Jane Claxton, Rachael Lynch and Rosie Malone (shoulder) making way.
Armidale defender Georgina Morgan, who returned from injury in Perth, will lead the side as sole captain in her home state. Overall there are six NSW players in the team for Sydney.
Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said: “It’s great to have Jodie Kenny back into the squad.
“She missed our past few games with a quad injury, so we’re keen to have her back involved.”
He added: “We’ve got a bunch of NSW girls involved as well, so it’ll be great to have them back home.”
-with HockeyAus
