Hockey: Neal's fit and ready to fire

Northland's Shay Neal is back in black. Photo / Getty Images

A return to the Black Sticks men's side couldn't be more timely for Northland's Shay Neal.

On the recovery trail since being struck down by a knee injury following the 2015 Azlan Shah Cup almost a year ago, Neal said it hasn't been easy sitting back as a spectator.

"I had a pretty low year following the last Azlan Shah Cup with the injury, surgery and rehab and it was awful being stuck watching from the sidelines," he said.

Now back where he belongs, the 25-year-old says the mood in the Black Sticks camp is better than ever.

"You can tell it's a different year for us. Everyone's pulling finger a bit more.

"It is a bloody exciting opportunity now that we've got over the line and we're going to Rio.

"You can tell it's a different year for our group, there's determination and guys are notching up personal bests in testing, so it's awesome to see."

Recovering well from the damage done to his left knee's lateral meniscus and femur last year, Neal is raring to go for the Black Sticks' four-match test series against Malaysia, which starts in Tauranga on Sunday.

Regardless of his injury misfortune, Neal said he's "pretty happy that it's happened the way it has".

"Come Rio it's going to feel a little more better in knowing what I've been through.

"All of the hard work and all of the little extras that you've had to put in; it's going to be all the more sweeter having endured what I've endured, I think.

"I was able to run over summer [and get] the fitness back up. Now I'm sort of back to full fitness, and just in time for our first test."

Following the Malaysia series, the Black Sticks head north for four tests against Korea at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland from March 16-20.