READING will be missing captain Tom Carson when they take on Canterbury in the England Hockey Cup final at Lee Valley on Saturday (3pm).

He is away with the Great Britain squad competing in the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament in Malaysia.

Blues will be looking to lift the trophy for the second time in three seasons, having slammed Surbiton 5-1 two years ago when Carson scored twice.

Also on target that day was Richard Mantell, who is considering standing down from Premier Division hockey at then end of the season.

Jonty Clarke says he is definitely quitting after the final, while Andy Watts is giving up the coaching role although remains uncertain about his future as a player.

It will also be Chris Davey’s final game as team manager.

Blues will start slight favourites to lift the trophy, having finished seventh in the table, two places higher than their opponents. But Canterbury will be buoyed by the fact they defeated Sevenoaks 7-3 in the play-offs last weekend to retain their Premier Division status.

Reading squad: Alexander, Mantell, Clarke, Gooch, Dhadwal, Shingles, Ed Carson, Watts, James Carson, Boon, Jefferson, O’Connell, Atkins, Doherty, Park, Gerrits. Reserves: Cullimore, Patel.

The Sonning Lane club are looking for a cup double at Lee Valley on Saturday (9am) as they are also involved in the Men’s Over-50 final against holders Ben Rhydding.

Reading have a third final to look forward to over the Bank Holiday weekend as they play Beeston, last year’s winners, in the England Under-18 Girls Cup on Monday (12pm) with Lee Valley in east London again the venue.