TEN new signings are among the 31-man squad Reading have named for the new England Hockey season starting this weekend, writes Dave Wright.

They are headed by Great Britain players Dan Kyriakides, a Welshman from Cardiff & Met, and Liam Sandford from Team Bath Buccaneers.

Another acquisition from Cardiff & Met is Owain Dolan-Gray, a Wales international who is part of the GB Development squad.

There will be a strong Principality representation with Ben Francis joining from Exeter University and Dale Hutchinson from Dutch club BH &BC Breda.

Blues keeper Tommy Alexander and defender Tim Atkins, who made their Scotland debuts last season, have tempted Blue Sticks team-mates Lee Morton and Duncan Riddell to come down to Sonning Lane from Kelburne and Grange respectively. Morton is also in the GB Development squad.

Ireland’s Stuart Loughrey has switched from Premier Division rivals Hampstead & Westminster, while USA player Adam Miller and Graeme Scott both join from Southgate.

Former England star Rick Mantell has shelved his retirement from playing in the Premier Division, although he is not expected to be available for every game.

With such a large number of players to choose from, new head coach Jason Lee must now decide who will be in his squad for the opening league match at promoted Sevenoaks on Saturday (5pm pushback).

With new coaching and management teams in place, Blues will be looking to improve on last season’s placing of seventh and make a strong challenge for a top-four place.

Despite being relegated from the Investec League Premier Division, Reading Women have had no problem in recruiting new players for their Conference West campaign that gets underway with a trip to Olton & West Warwicks on Saturday (noon).

Keeper Aurora Mears, who was No. 2 to GB star Maddie Hinch at Holcombe, tops the list of seven new signings. She is joined by Cat Ashton from Eastcote, Lydia Thacker (Bath Buccaneers), Fran Clements (Havant), Emma Royce (Surbiton), Bo Heikens (MOP Holland) and Emily Harris, who was not previously with a club, but has recently been named in the England under-16 squad.

Sophie Shakespeare and Becs Cadwallader have returned to the club from Oxford Hawks and Exeter respectively, while Katie Pugh is also back at Sonning Lane.

Coach Mike Irving has promoted club youngsters Esme Swindells, Keelie Perham, Shannon Ross and Rachel Muncey to the senior squad.

Ten players have been retained from last season with Emma Thomas remaining captain as the Blues look to return to the elite division at the first attempt.