SLOUGH have signed England international Lucy Wood from Investec Women’s League rivals Holcombe.

The 24-year-old forward is set to make her debut in the opening match against champions Surbiton at Upton Court Park on Saturday (12.30pm).

Wood, a silver medallist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, will be one of several new faces wearing the pink and black colours.

England under-18 goalkeeper Mila Welch has joined from Reading to replace Asha Tranquille-Day, who is pregnant, while another mum-to-be on the sidelines is Betsy Parsons.

Former Reading junior and Oxford University student Immie Brown has signed, along with Scottish defender Flora Walker, a Durham University student who is on a year’s work placement in Slough.

Slough have also registered Kitty Baccanello, previously with Surbiton 2s, and Rochelle Lewsey from Luton Town.

They have, however, lost a few players including Amy Sheehan and Georgina Bathhurst.

Sheehan, who had travelled up from Southampton for two seasons, has rejoined a club nearer her home, Trojans, while Bathurst has her sights on becoming a jockey.

Horses feature strongly in her family as Earl Bathurst’s country estate at Cirencester is one of the top venues for polo with members of the Royal family having played there.

It will be quite a changed team that will take to the pitch against champions Surbiton, who have won the title five times in a row.

Slough captain Kat McGonigle admitted: “It could hardly be a tougher start for us, but at least we’re playing them at home. We will do the best job we can and see how it goes.

“Going into a new season is always difficult as you don’t know what to expect. Teams can go into their first fixture a little unprepared and we have to make sure it’s not us.

“We’ve picked up a few injuries during pre-season, but our preparations have been good and we can’t wait to get going.”

Slough don’t have a good record against Surbiton, having lost the last six encounters between them with the corresponding fixture last season resulting in an 8-1 win for the visitors.

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