No place for Chetcuti, Giglio in Malta squad
Sciberras and Gauci earn Heese's nod
National coach Horst Heese and his new assistant Mark Miller have called 22 players to start morning training sessions as from next Monday.
Heese has omitted a host of established players from his latest squad, including Sliema pair Jeffrey Chetcuti and Stefan Giglio and goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin, currently having a trial with Wrexham. Marsaxlokk's Jamie Pace has also been excluded from the group.
Malta U-21 players Reuben Gauci and Gareth Sciberras have been named in Malta's senior squad while Sliema defender Ian Ciantar has been recalled after recovering from a serious cruciate injury.
Valletta midfielder Jonathan Bondin is also on the 22-man list called by Heese yesterday.
The Maltese squad on Monday will start its preparations for the coming international season which kicks off with a friendly match against Northern Ireland next month.
The list includes two players who ply their trade overseas, Luke Dimech (Chester City) and Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom).
Carmel Busuttil is no longer part of the national team coaching staff after failing to reach an agreement with the Malta FA over a new contract. Busuttil had originally been earmarked by the association to take over from Heese later this year but his defection will force the MFA to revise its plans regarding the appointment of a new national coach.
According to a Malta FA statement issued yesterday evening, Malta goalkeepers' coach John Bonello will conduct the afternoon sessions at Ta' Qali.
The squad...
Goalkeepers: Justin Haber (Birkirkara), Reuben Gauci (Marsaxlokk).
Defenders: Brian Said (Sliema), Luke Dimech (Chester), Ian Ciantar (Sliema), Stephen Wellman (Floriana), Adrian Pulis (Hibs), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Peter Pullicino (Hibs).
Midfielders: Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk), Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Claude Mattocks (Sliema), Massimo Grima (Valletta), Gareth Sciberras (Marsaxlokk), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Jonathan Bondin (Valletta), Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara), Orosco Anonam (Sliema).
Forwards: Ivan Woods (Sliema), Andrew Cohen (Hibs), Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara), Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom).