Fitzel to make use of all 28 players in national squad

National coach Dusan Fitzel yesterday told reporters that during the February 2-6 International Tournament he intends to make use of all his players in the squad as Malta plays three matches in the quadrangular competition at the National Stadium.

Fitzel said the tournament will be a stage in his preparatory build-up for the World Cup qualifiers which start in September with a home match against Portugal.

Iceland, Belarus and Armenia will be the other teams taking part in the International Tournament.

Yesterday, Fitzel announced that he had added two new faces, both midfielders, to his squad. These were Birkirkara's Shaun Bajada and Ryan Fenech, of Hamrun Spartans.

"We now have 28 players in the national team set-up," Fitzel said.

"Ryan and Shaun have been training with the squad for the past couple of weeks and we've been monitoring their progress to see how they will adapt to the new environs.

"For them, the tournament will be an ideal occasion to show their worth. The same goes for some others who have been training with us before but failed to make the team on a regular basis."

Fitzel said the tournament will be an important exercise for the national teams taking part as most coaches will be seeking to introduce new tactics and players ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

"We are also in the process of preparing for our next international matches. So, we are being careful not to let this occasion slip from our hands and try to make the most of it," Fitzel said.

"The foreign-based players in the Malta squad will be here for the February 4 match only.

"They return to their clubs after that, giving me more time to try out the locally-based players in the tournament."

Michael Mifsud (Coventry), Luke Dimech (Macclesfield), Justin Haber (Haidari) and Udo Nwoko (Leixoes) will play against Iceland. But, Andre Schembri will miss out on all three matches as he will be attending a training camp with German club Eintracht Braunschweig.

In their official list of players for the tournament, Iceland omitted Barcelona-based Eidur Gudjohnsen but have Portsmouth's Herman Hreidarsson and Gretar Rafn Steinsson, of Bolton, both defenders, in their squad. Forward Emil Hallfredsson is on the books of Serie A's Reggina.

The most distinguished name in the Belarus list is midfielder Alexandr Hleb who plays for Arsenal in the English Premiership.

The tournament will also be the first time for new Armenia coach Jan Poulsen to take charge of his team.

He was appointed this week to replace Briton Tom Jones.