THE road to Athens could open up for Kent hockey player David Mathews on Friday when the Great Britain chiefs name the squad they hope will carry them through to the Olympics in August.

Former Canterbury player Mathews is part of a 32-strong GB squad playing at Havant in three selection matches, after which the party will be trimmed to 18.

The players have been told to expect a decision by the weekend and Mathews is hopeful after impressing with both his form and fitness on the recent trip to South Africa.

Mathews, 26, said: "From a personal point of view the trip went very well. It was hard because we were training at altitude. While we were out there the temperature hit 38 degrees, but I was very pleased that I came through it all so well especially after having tonsilitis just three weeks before."

Mathew's family home is at Kingston, near Canterbury. Recently his father and mother moved there from the neighbouring village of Barham where they had lived for some 20 years.

Mathews, who now plays his hockey in Holland for Amsterdam, scored twice in a 3-2 victory over a strong South African first string in an and also played in a 5-1 win over South Africa B.

Neither games were official Tests, but Mathews says his form has given him cause for optimism when the squad bidding for the Olympics is announced.