KEY POINTS:
Central midfielder Shea McAleese has been called into the New Zealand men's hockey team for the five-test series against Japan.
Coach Shane McLeod yesterday said McAleese's recall was to cover for injured captain Ryan Archibald and fellow inside-forward Bryce Collins.
"Ryan is making some progress but he will not be ready to play all the time in Japan," said McLeod.
"And with Bryce Collins also struggling with an ankle problem, I felt it was necessary to add another player as we will be playing five games in nine days."
McAleese, who last played for the Black Sticks at last year's World Cup, has had to shelve plans to play club hockey in Germany.
He had planned to leave this week, but will now wait until after the team returns from Japan on August 20 before going to Germany - unless he is named in the 18-player squad which will assemble in Auckland on September 4 to prepare for the Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Australia.
"We will now take 19 players to Japan on Thursday," said McLeod.
Those players, with Nick Haig and Andy Hayward who have also played internationally this year, would be considered for Australia.
The national side will have a further warm-up match against Auckland tomorrow night.
Archibald is likely to get some game time.
