ALEX Danson will captain England Ladies for this summer’s major international hockey events.

The Hampshire-based star has 99 goals and 272 caps to her name since making her international debut aged just 16.

The 32-year-old forward will first lead England for this weekend’s Investec Internationals in London, as well as next month's Hockey World League in South Africa.

Southampton-born Danson will also be in charge for August’s EuroHockey Championships when England go to Holland as defending champions.

Later in 2017, a permanent captain will be selected.

Danson has won four gold medals in her international career, including last year's Olympics and the Unibet EuroHockey Championship in 2015 In all, she has 17 career medals - two Olympics (gold & bronze), one World Cup (bronze), two Commonwealth Games (silver & bronze), six EuroHockey Championships (gold, silver, 4 bronze), and two Champions Trophy (silver & bronze).

Head coach Danny Kerry said: “I look forward to seeing Alex lead the team through these games and the summer.

"Her breadth of experience, her natural empathy for both individuals and the wider performance needs will stand her in good stead over the coming summer tournaments.

"We have an excellent group of leaders throughout the team and Alex is the visible sign of that and embodies the values of our group.”

Danson added, “It is a huge honour to be handed this captaincy for the summer and to lead a fantastic squad in some very important tournaments.

"We have a team full of very good leaders so in many ways I will be undertaking the exact same role as normal, and each and every one of us will give our all for the cause.

“I remember as a youngster, dreaming just to be part of the central programme with England and Great Britain, and now the entire squad strives every day to be successful for the country.

"It is great to be playing at home this weekend in the Investec Internationals, we have lots of special memories on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

"Given the growth of the sport since Rio, I think the games against Argentina and Holland are going to be pretty spectacular.”

England will play Argentina tomorrow and Holland on Sunday.