St Albans Hockey Club’s Hannah Macleod and Ellie Watton have been named in the England team for the Champions Trophy which begins in Mendoza, Argentina, on Saturday.

Macleod, who is the women’s side’s player-head coach, has won 108 international caps and ten medals, including bronze at the London 2012 Olympics and silver at the 2012 Champions Trophy.

Fellow forward Watton played her first international in 2013 and won silver at last year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Both players represented England in the 2014 World Cup in The Hague before returning to coach and play at St Albans. In addition to the two players, England’s team manager in Argentina is St Albans’ goalkeeping coach John Hurst.

Macleod said: “It’s been a very tough few months since the World Cup and I’ve very much valued the support I’ve had from everyone at St Albans Hockey Club.

“My passion and love for the game has returned since working with a fantastic group of players and staff and this has played a big part in providing the necessary drive and determination to return to form and compete for selection with England.”

On Saturday, Watton and Macleod had to watch from the dugout as the ladies side were beaten 1-0 by Chelmsford in Investec National League East Conference.

There were better fortunes for the men’s team who completed a 3-2 win over Harleston Magpies, a result which puts the side just three points off the top of the East Premier Division A table.

Captain Matt Davey led from the front as he struck twice in the victory. The skipper netted drag flick penalty corner strikes in each half, either side of an Adam Jones goal.

The club’s men’s team head coach, Andy Halliday, is the England team manager for the men’s Champions Trophy which takes place in India starting on December 6.