The return of Julia King could be key to Surbiton’s hopes of a successful defence of their Women’s Hockey League Premier Division championship title.

The 22-year-old New Zealand international, who missed much of the first of the season on duty with the Black Sticks, returns to head coach Brett Garrard’s squad for Saturday’s visit of Leicester, which marks the resumption of the outdoor season.

Surbiton, top of the top flight on goal difference at the moment, lifted the Women’s Cup and the league title last year and subsequently will make their debut in the EuroHockey Club Champions Cup at Easter.

And while Garrard insisted his squad’s strength in depth was key to their success this term, he did admit King’s return would be like a new signing.

“We have used 25 players this season already and to be where we are is down to our strength in depth and not just a handful of individuals,” he said.

“We will have Julia back until the end of the season, which is a big boost for us.

“She is a really, really good player who really improved us earlier in the season.

“She is a great girl and the advantage is she can play a number of positions.”

Former Team GB playing great Garrard was named director of hockey at Sugden Road in 2010 with specific responsibility for coaching the ladies first team.

His target was to bring parity between the standard of hockey played by the club’s elite men and women.

And with both sections in the mix for the end of season play-offs this term, some would say it is mission accomplished for Garrard.

But with a EuroHockey campaign to mastermind, England and Great Britain’s most capped player – he has played 263 internationals – says the sky is the limit.

“When I took over the aim was to get the men and women on an equal footing and we have done that quicker than I thought,” he added.

“We have a significant colts section who need role models to aspire to be and it is great we have got that on both sides.

“We have an exciting eight weeks ahead in the build up to our first ever European campaign, which will be a great experience for the girls.

“But we cannot get too far ahead of ourselves. We are only concentrating on Leicester.

“We have never beaten them at home so it a massive game for us.

“Clifton, Canterbury and Leicester are all going to be there or thereabouts so there is so much still to play for.”

He said: “We have some international quality and this group of girls are really committed to our club ethos and are enjoying the experience and that is great to see.”