Haber, Dimech and Briffa back in Fitzel's squad

Justin Haber, Luke Dimech and Roderick Briffa are back in the Malta squad as national coach Dusan Fitzel yesterday finalised his roster for Wednesday's friendly international against Austria at the National Stadium.

There was no room for Hibernians goalkeeper Mario Muscat though. He was dropped from the 18-man list with Andrew Hogg, the 21-year-old Pietà Hotspurs no.1, retaining his place in the squad.

Haber and Dimech, both of Premier League leaders Marsaxlokk, had missed the 4-1 defeat to Lithuania in November.

On that occasion, Haber was granted permission to remain with Royal Virton, his former Belgian club, while Dimech had skipped the match as he was recovering from injury.

Briffa, the enterprising Birkirkara midfielder, is also back in the reckoning after missing most of the first part of the season with a groin injury.

Marsaxlokk striker Andre Schembri, who has just returned to action after recovering from a fractured foot, was not considered for selection this time around.

Probably, Fitzel opted to give the player more time to continue with his rehabilitation programme.

Malta captain Gilbert Agius is again the most experienced player in Fitzel's squad.

With 96 appearances for the national team, the Valletta forward will inch closer to the milestone 100th cap on Wednesday.

Peter Pullicino has not yet recovered from a shoulder injury. His place was handed to fellow Marsaxlokk team-mate Gareth Sciberras.

Defender Kenneth Scicluna did not train this week with the national team as he felt unwell. Scicluna is out of contention along with Birkirkara team-mate Etienne Barbara, also not 100 per cent fit.

Meanwhile, Coventry City forward Michael Mifsud was confirmed in the squad.

He arrived yesterday after playing 80 minutes for Coventry in a 2-0 defeat to Sunderland in an English Division One match last Saturday.

The squad

Goalkeepers: J. Haber (Marsaxlokk - 16 appearances, 0 goals), A. Hogg (Pietà Hotspurs - 1-0).

Defenders: I. Azzopardi (Floriana 20-0), R. Briffa (Birkirkara 14-0), I. Ciantar (Sliema 22-0), L. Dimech (Marsaxlokk 45-1), B. Said (Sliema Wanderers 67-3), S. Wellman (Marsaxlokk 14-1).

Midfielders: G. Agius (Valletta 96-7), R. Bajada (Sliema 6-0), G. Mallia (Birkirkara 45-4), J. Pace (Marsaxlokk 7-1), K. Sammut (Marsaxlokk 13-0), G. Sciberras (Marsaxlokk 7-0).

Forwards: A. Cohen (Hibernians 15-0), M. Mifsud (Coventry City - 44-12), T. Scerri (Hibernians 3-0), I. Woods (Sliema 23-1).