Charlotte Harrison recalled to Black Sticks squad

Experienced striker Charlotte Harrison is back in favour with the New Zealand hockey selectors.

Striker Harrison is among a trio of stars who have had their Olympics chances boosted by being recalled to the Black Sticks women’s squad.

She is joined by former captain Kayla Whitelock and experienced defender Emily Naylor in the 24-player squad named by coach Mark Hager.

Those three players inject 668 caps into an already experienced squad for a hectic playing schedule through to December. Hager will then select an Olympic squad.

‘‘It’s probably the most difficult selection process we have had to go through due to the quality of players we had. The level was high, the teams were close, and there was some exceptional play,’’ Hager said as he gauged form from the just-completed national league. The 26-year-old Harrison capped a good campaign, helping Auckland defend the title. She has 183 caps and scored 50 goals since debuting in 2005, though she had fallen out of favour in recent times. But Harrison won back the confidence of Hager.

‘‘She has the capability to score goals, she has great game knowledge, she reads the game well and overall she adds real strength to our forward line,’’ Hager said.

Harrison is thrilled with her recall and the chance to push for another Olympics appearance.

The Black Sticks face Argentina in four games during a South Island tour in Blenheim, Nelson and Christchurch. They then head to Stratford for the 2015 Oceania Cup before taking on the world’s best at the FIH World League Final in Argentina in December.