England Hockey: European Championships squads named

Helen Richardson returns to the 18-strong women's squad for the European Championships in Belgium.

Treble Olympian Richardson, 31, is available for the tournament after recovering from a back injury that required surgery earlier this year.

Ashley Jackson is the most notable omission from the men's squad.

Jackson, 25, had surgery on his ankle after the World League in Malaysia last month and will be sidelined for the rest of the summer.

England's women have been drawn in Pool B alongside Germany, Spain and Scotland.

Richardson and another treble Olympian, captain Kate Walsh, form the spine of a squad which includes nine of Great Britain's London 2012 bronze medallists as well as 18-year-old Lily Owsley, who made her debut at the World League in June shortly after completing her A-levels.

"Since April it's been a steep learning curve for some of the new girls coming into the squad, but they have coped with everything incredibly well and I'm excited to go out to Belgium and see what we can do," head coach Jason Lee said.

England men's squad will face Ireland, the Netherlands and Poland in Pool B at the championships.

"If Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands all play at the top of their games it will be very difficult for us to medal, but we also know that there is a lot of potential in this side," men's head coach Bobby Crutchley said.

"First and foremost we will look to our group matches where we are not taking anything for granted."

England Men's Squad for European Championships (18-25 August, Antwerp, Belgium):

Ben Arnold (Forward), James Bailey (Goalkeeper), Alastair Brogdon (Forward), Tom Carson (Forward), Nick Catlin (Forward/Midfield), David Condon (Midfield), Adam Dixon (Midfield/Defender), Dan Fox (Defender), Michael Hoare (Defender), Iain Lewers (Defender), Simon Mantell (Forward), Harry Martin (Midfielder), Barry Middleton (Midfield/Forward), George Pinner (Goalkeeper), Dan Shingles (Midfielder), Richard Smith (Defender), Henry Weir (Midfield/Defender), Ollie Willars (Defender).

England Women's Squad for European Championships (17-24 August, Antwerp, Belgium):

Giselle Ansley (Defender), Ashleigh Ball (Midfielder),Alex Danson (Forward), Susie Gilbert (Midfielder), Sarah Haycroft (Midfielder), Maddie Hinch (Goalkeeper), Kirsty Mackay (Goalkeeper), Hannah Macleod (Forward), Lily Owsley (Forward), Sam Quek (Defender), Helen Richardson (Midfielder), Susie Townsend (Midfielder), Georgie Twigg (Midfielder), Laura Unsworth (Defender), Kate Walsh (Defender), Sally Walton (Defender), Hollie Webb (Defender), Nicola White (Forward).