Sandeep Singh back in reckoning

Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh is back in the reckoning for a berth in the national squad. He was named among 29 probables for the three-nation hockey tournament, starting January 22.

Midfielder Pavan Lakra and young forward Bikash Topo were also named in the list.

The probables will attend a camp in Bangalore from January 10 for the lead-up tournament to the Olympic qualifiers in Chile in March.

Chief coach Joaquim Carvalho, who released the list of probables, said the 29 players picked for the camp have to prove themselves to gain a berth in the final team for the three-nation tourney.

He added that the final team will have either 22 or 24 players.

Pakistan and Belgium, who have already qualified for the Beijing Olympics in August, are the other teams for the January 22-30 tournament.

The three teams will play each other twice and the top two will play the final.

Sandeep Singh, who has been impressive so far in the ongoing Premier Hockey League in Chandigarh, will have to work kard to find a place in the final squad.

"I cannot right now confirm that Sandeep, or any one for that matter, will be in the final team. Each of the probables has a chance to make it to the final squad for the three-nation tournament," Carvalho said.

"A 24 or 22 member final team would be selected for the tournament after which the team will leave for Western Australia for training-cum-competition there."

The probables:

Goalkeepers: Baljit Singh, Adrian D'Souza and Bharath Chetri

Defenders: Dilip Tirkey, William Xalco, V R Raghunath, Diwakar Ram, Jaswinder Singh, Samir Barla and Sandeep Singh.

Midfielders: Gurbaz Singh, Vikramkanth, Bimal Lakra, Sardara Singh, Ignace Tirkey, Ajitesh Rai, Prabhodh Tirkey, Pavan Lakra, Indrajit Singh.

Forwards: Rajpal Singh, Bharath Chikkara, Roshan Minz, S V Sunil, Prabhjot Singh, Tushar Khandekar, Shivendra Singh, Damndeep Singh, Bruno Logun, Bikash Topo.

Officials: Joaquim Carvalho (Chief Coach); M P Singh (Coach); M Parameswaran (Asst Coach); Ganguly Prasad (Trainer); Sreekanth Iyengar (Physio); Nagaraj (Masseur); M M Somayya (Technical Director); R K Shetty (Manager).