Marsaxlokk with 17-man squad for Slovenia

Marsaxlokk will be leaving the island for Slovenia this morning for Thursday's UEFA Cup first qualifying round, second leg against NK Primorje.

Coach Atanas Marinov has named a 17-man squad for the match at the Primorje Stadium where the Maltese club will be trying to overturn a 1-0 deficit suffered in the first leg at the National Stadium on July 15.

The Marsaxlokk FC contingent, led by president Victor Sciriha and team manager Peter Hartshorne, will be flying to Nova Gorica via Rome. They are expected to arrive at their destination later on in the evening.

Marinov has planned two training sessions for tomorrow and another light work-out for Thursday morning.

The only injury worry for the Bulgarian coach is Richard Buhagiar. The utility defender is hampered with a foot injury but should recover in time for the match on Thursday which starts at 7 p.m. (Malta time).

Missing from the Marsaxlokk squad are midfielder Roger Walker, yet to agree a contract extension with the club, and striker Carmel Formosa, who is reportedly close to a return to Qormi FC.

Marsaxlokk are also looking to sign a third foreigner. A Congolese forward, who has been training at Marsaxlokk these past few weeks, is unlikely to be retained.

The club have already made contacts with a Serbian striker who plays in the Bosnian league. He is expected to arrive in Malta for a trial in two weeks' time.

The squad

Goalkeepers: I. Casha, R. Debono.

Defenders: N. Slavtchev, R. Buhagiar, C. Magro, J. Tellus, D. Carabott, T. Templeman, K. Mamo.

Midfielders: M. Asechemie, D. Camilleri, M. Sciriha, I. Zammit, J. Pace.

Forwards: D. Bogdanovic, E. Barbara, M. Licari.