Kirkham has captained England's hockey team (Getty)

Lincolnshire's Glenn Kirkham says he is confident of being included in the Great Britain men's hockey squad for the Beijing Olympics.

The 25-year-old has won 23 caps for Great Britain and 83 England caps.

Kirkham will play for Great Britain in next week's six-team Setanta Trophy in Ireland, with the Olympic squad being named on June 24.

He told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "Having been in most of the recent squads I'd very much hope to be in that team."

Great Britain's men's team won the gold at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and are currently ranked eighth in the world.

Their pool in Beijing includes Australia and the Netherlands, who are ranked second and third, along with South Africa, Canada and Pakistan.

Kirkham said: "Beating those three teams and then pulling off a result against Australia or Holland could put us through to the semi-finals.

"But really what we're looking at is a top six or top eight finish, as long as we come above our world ranking."