The tournament will cap one of the best years in Pidcock's hockey-playing career.

Justin, 30, was in the England team which finished sixth in the World Championships earlier in the year. Now he hopes to lead England to medal glory in the far-east.

He said: "In pure hockey terms the World Cup is the high point for hockey players, but in terms of public awareness and interest the Commonwealth Games are second only to the Olympics."

Indeed, the competition will be strong in Kuala Lumpur, where England will have to overcome two of the teams which finished ahead of them in the World Cup, Pakistan and Australia.

Justin, who lived in Davenham until six months ago and whose wife still works at The Grange, added: "The high temperatures and humidity will be an added bonus for the likes of Pakistan, Australia and Malaysia. But the squad is going to Lilleshal next week to use an acclimatisation chamber and we are travelling out early on August 29 to spend five days training in Penang. Our aim is to win a medal."

Justin is the second oldest player in what is a young England team. He will play in the heart of defence, as he does for his club Cannock.

But he doesn't see himself in the Tony Adams mould, having to take the young players under his wing : "I came into the England set-up quite late so I'm not much more experienced internationally. I would say my assets are strength and fitness. My temperament is good and I'm quite an unselfish team player."

England start off their Commonwealth bid for gold in a group made up of Pakistan, Canada, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Justin concluded: "If we can finish in the top two in the group we're into the semi-final games and in a one-off match anything can happen."

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