FRESH from Commonwealth silver, Rachel Walker has been included in the England hockey squad bound for the Champions Trophy.

The 23-year-old Worcester girl was part of the England team which came so close to striking gold at Manchester only to be edged out by a controversial Indian winner.

Walker is now set to fly out to Macau, China, for the Champions Trophy between August 24 and September 1. Bromsgrove's Jennie Bimson -- another member of the Commonwealth squad -- is also included in the 16-strong party. The Champions Trophy will see the World's top six teams -- Argentina, China, Australia, Holland, England and New Zealand -- go head to head in preparation for the World Cup later this year.

"I expect the tournament to be quite difficult, given that 11 members of the silver medal winning Commonwealth Games squad will undoubtedly be quite fatigued and emotionally drained after two weeks of competition in Manchester," said England's head coach Tricia Heberle.