READING Hockey Club duo Liam Sanford and Lee Morton have been called up by Great Britain for their opening FIH Pro League fixtures.

England defender Sanford will face Spain in Valencia tomorrow (Friday) and will be joined by Scotland forward Morton when GB travel to play New Zealand on February 8 and Australia the following week.

Head coach Danny Kerry commented: “Lee has very fast hands, he’s very direct and has a competitive instinct. I’m excited to include him.

"You have to give young players opportunities to develop. You have to push established players and make them feel the competition.”

The FIH Pro League is a brand new competition designed to transform the international hockey scene, with the world's best nations facing each other home and away.

Each nation will play a total of 16 matches, while the sides which finish in the top four will qualify for a 'Grand Final' in late June.

Reading Women have lost goalkeeper Aurora Mears, as she has signed for Conference East title-chasing Wimbledon.

Last weekend she helped them gain promotion from Division Two of the indoor league.