Orchard will be one of three regular Kookaburras rejoining the top squad at the Four Nations tournament in Perth following a stint on the sideline with injury.

The 2008 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year was out of action with a knee injury for the end of last year along with Joel Carroll and Graeme Begbie.

But the trio will don the green and gold once more and have the chance to impress national selectors six months out from the London Olympics.

The Kookaburras first test at the Four Nations tournament will be against Australia A at Lemnos Shenton Park before fixtures with world top 10s Argentina (Friday) and the Netherlands (Sunday) at Perth Hockey Stadium.

Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth said competition for spots would be hot for the world number one team.

“With 28 players in the Olympic squad and 14 players in the development squad, this gives us a good opportunity to test the groups and assess their state of preparedness,” Charlesworth said.

“We are heavy in training at the moment and these matches will give the players a great chance to play against strong teams that we’ll be competing against in London.

“Every game we play will help us to further define our best team.”

Another major factor in the upcoming series will be the use of the newly laid Olympic Games replica blue pitch at Lemnos Shenton Park.

“It will be great to play serious matches against quality teams on a blue pitch,” Charlesworth said.

“We hope the conditions will give us a good insight into what to expect in London.”

A number of experienced Kookaburras players will line up for Australia A in the first week of competition before switching back to the top group in week two.

Play continues for the Kookaburras next with four more matches against the same opponents, sharing venues between Lemnos and Perth.