THE England men’s hockey team are to use Canterbury’s Polo Farm headquarters in their build up to next month’s Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

England, who include Canterbury striker Dave Mathews in their squad, are to spend four days at the club training, and also playing a friendly against Canterbury. That match will take place on Sunday, July 7, at 4.30pm.

Training days will be on the Friday, from about 4.30pm and Saturday with a session in the morning from 10am to 1pm and an afternoon spell from 3pm to 6pm.

They play Canterbury on the Sunday afternoon, following another morning practice, and they wrap up the following day, again with morning and afternoon sessions. All sessions and the match will be open to spectators.

Canterbury, who have been in the running for international matches before, are hoping the training camp will put them in the spotlight.

The National Hockey Stadium at Milton Keynes is being used by Wimbledon Football Club for the next two years, and the HA will be looking for regional venues to hold their top domestic and international matches.