OLYMPIC hopes are fading for hockey talent James Fair, despite being in the thick of the action in China.

Fair, 27, knew he had a fight on his hands to guard the posts for the Great Britain team, with Scotland’s Ali McGregor beginning to edge ahead as first choice.

But the selectors have finally made their decision and Fair is travelling only as a squad reserve, behind two other keepers. This means that he will not see Olympic action unless a keeper is injured.

Fair, originally from Pulford and who began his hockey career with Tarporley-based Deeside Ramblers, flew out a week ago and is currently at Great Britain’s training camp at Macau.

Fair’s uncle Richard said: “He’s not happy, I think, but that’s the way of the world.

“James is going as a reserve. Usually they take two goalkeepers, but because of the humid conditions they’ve taken the squad of 16 and two travelling reserves.

“There’s Ali McGregor – if he gets injured he would come out of the squad and James would go in, so at the moment he won’t get any match time.”

Team GB have worked hard before flying out to China, with sessions in South Africa and Holland, and have played several training games.

Fair, who works for Adidas in Stockport and currently lives in Nantwich, will continue playing for his team Cannock when he returns from Beijing.