Hockey: Archibald and Wilson back for Black Sticks

Ryan Archibald is back in the New Zealand men's hockey team for their series against Canada. Photo / File.

Quality attackers Ryan Archibald and Nick Wilson are back in the New Zealand men's hockey team for their series against Canada next month.

Midfielder Archibald, 34, last appeared for the Black Sticks at the London Olympics before taking a break, and is the third most capped player of all time with 274 internationals.

Striker Wilson has played 124 tests but none since the Champions Trophy in Melbourne two years ago after which he suffered a serious knee injury.

Head coach Colin Batch said the Canada series is about continuing to build depth within the group and he is looking forward to seeing several key players back in action.

"Part of our focus for our series against Japan and now Canada has been to broaden the depth of our squad so that we are in a better position to assess our players for next year," he said.

"It's ideal to have a few changes to the team for Canada; Nick Wilson has worked very hard to recover from a serious knee injury and it's great to have him back after a two-year absence."

New Zealand play Canada in Nelson on December 9 and 10, and in Christchurch on December 13 and 14.

New Zealand squad: Simon Child (c), Ryan Archibald, Arun Panchia, Dwayne Rowsell (Auckland), Joe Bartholomew, Cory Bennett, James Coughlan, Richard Joyce, George Muir (North Harbour), Richard Bain (Nelson only), Willie Davidson (Christchurch only), George Enersen, Brad Shaw (Canterbury), Stephen Jenness, Jacob Smith (Capital), Shay Neal (Northland), Blair Tarrant (Southern), Nick Wilson (Central), Nic Woods (Midlands).