Neal wins spot in Black Sticks as extra striker

Northland's Shay Neal has been included in the Black Sticks Men's team to contest the Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy at North Harbour next month.

It is one of the most experienced sides in New Zealand's hockey history - with the team having 2125 caps between them. Phil Burrows (262), Ryan Archibald (251), Blair Hopping (240) and Dean Couzins (237) will bring the most experience to the squad when they compete against the best teams in the world, in what will be the last major event prior to the 2012 London Olympics.

Black Sticks men's coach Shane McLeod said although this tournament would be a real challenge, the team is confident leading into it and recent results, including a win and a draw with world No1 Australia at the Oceania Cup in Hobart last month, have helped with preparations.

"A number of the younger athletes really stepped up to the challenge at Oceania Cup and had an impact on the games which was very pleasing," McLeod said.

"We are currently ranked seventh and our aim at the moment is to be consistently ranked within the top six teams. Having the support of a local crowd and the benefit of playing on our home pitch will really help - that is something we have never had at this level," he added.

McLeod selected Neal, who has 16 caps for New Zealand, as a sixth striker in the team. "Shay has really improved and has had some great performances lately. Having a sixth striker in the team will help - we are always looking for players that will add to our attacking strength."

The 21-year-old Neal is currently competing in the first Sultan of Johor Cup, in Malaysia with the Junior Black Sticks.

After three years of Burrows leading the team, McLeod has selected Couzins as captain for this tournament and also in the build-up to the 2012 London Olympics.

Players will gather in Auckland on November 21 for two weeks training together before the tournament starts on December 3, where the Black Sticks will take on Germany, Korea and Holland in their pool games.

The Black Sticks to play at the Champions Trophy, December 3-11, at Albany's North Harbour Hockey Stadium: Andy Hayward, Simon Child, Blair Hopping, Dean Couzins (c), Blair Hilton, Bradley Shaw, Stephen Graham, Kyle Pontifex, Phillip Burrows, Blair Tarrant, Shea McAleese (vc), Matt L'Huillier, Stephen Jenness, Shay Neal, Hugo Inglis, Ryan Archibald, Steve Edwards, Nick Wilson.