OLYMPIC champion and three-time world goalkeeper of the year Maddie Hinch has returned to the international fold, after a 10-month break from the England and Great Britain Hockey programme.

The 30-year-old, who attended King's College in Taunton between 2002 and 2007, chose to press the pause button on her international career following last summer's Women's World Cup in London.

Having been playing for Stichtsche in the Dutch league, Hinch will be back in contention for Great Britain's final FIH Pro League matches of the year, against Germany (June 7), Australia (June 9) and the Netherlands (June 15) in London, and the double header against New Zealand at the Twickenham Stoop on June 23.

Hinch said: "After 10 months away from the international game, I am absolutely delighted to be back with the Great Britain Hockey programme.

"My time away has allowed me time to recharge, mentally and physically, and renew my ambitions in the game whilst continuing to play at the highest level of women’s club hockey over in the Netherlands.

"With that, I feel I’m in a great place to rejoin the group and hope to be part of what is an incredibly important journey ahead.

"Should I be selected, I’m very excited about playing in the FIH Pro League in London, and to try to help the team as we look to qualify for Tokyo 2020 and beyond.

"With a new global league, new coach and an Olympics next year, this is a very inspiring time for the sport and I’m looking forward to hopefully playing my part as much as I can."

Women’s head coach Mark Hager commented: "I’m delighted to welcome Maddie back, she is a world class goalkeeper and I’m looking forward to working with her, as opposed to having to try to work out how to score past her!

"Having recently met with Maddie, she clearly has huge desire to be back, and it would seem that an extended break has been a great step for not only Maddie, but also the programme and the opportunity it has provided our other goalkeepers.

"We fully recognise her qualities, but at the same time our goalkeepers have done very well since I came in, so she will have to earn her place in the team on merit, and hopefully give us some tough decisions to make."

Hinch has 133 caps for Great Britain and England, and in 2016 she delivered a match-winning performance in the Olympic final to earn gold for Team GB.