Fitzel to make the most of 'free' friendly

Malta coach Dusan Fitzel is looking to glean maximum benefit from today's friendly between MFA XI and Ferencvaros as he steps up his preparations for the World Cup meeting with Albania.

However, Fitzel's plans for the Albania showdown have already received a setback with the news that Daniel Bogdanovic is definitely out. The striker will be sidelined for five weeks with a torn hamstring.

Fitzel intends to give a run-out to all the players in his squad today.

"I'm looking at the visit of Ferencvaros from two angles," Fitzel said.

"Their training camp here has given our coaches the opportunity to see how a professional club works.

"From the national team's point-of-view, this friendly should be a useful exercise because our players haven't played an international match since the friendly against Iceland (0-1) in November.

"This game gives the players the chance to get the feel of international football and to show their worth ahead of the Albania match.

"Ferencvaros will probably use all the players in their squad and my intention is the same."

Admission for today's friendly at the National Stadium is free of charge.

"We want more people to come and watch this match," MFA president Joe Mifsud said yesterday.

Asked about the condition of Hibs' Clayton Failla, who was stretchered off in the dying stages of his team's 1-1 draw with Floriana last weekend, the Malta coach said that the young wing-back trained normally on Monday.

Hibs defender Jonathan Caruana is out of the reckoning as he is recovering from a bout of flu.

Goalkeeper Justin Haber, who is on the books of Sheffield United, and Igea Virtus defender Andrei Agius are both expected to figure in today's friendly after both were granted permission by their clubs to join up with their international team-mates this week.

Michael Mifsud, who earlier this week joined Barnsley on loan, and Carl Zeiss Jena's Andrè Schembri will report for international duty next week, barring injuries, but Etienne Barbara (SC Verle) and Udo Nwoko (Leixoes) have not been named in the squad.

Nwoko pays the price for his lack of first-team opportunities with the Portuguese club while Barbara is recovering from surgery.

Ferencvaros are currently gearing up for the second half of the Hungarian league season which starts in March. In their last match before the winter break, Ferencvaros, who are coached by Bobby Davison, thumped Vecses 4-0 to consolidate top spot in the Eastern Group of the second division league.

On Monday, Ferencvaros beat Marsaxlokk 4-2 in a friendly match at the Ta' Qali training grounds.

Invited to offer his views on Mifsud's switch to Barnsley and the prospect of his striking up a partnership with Bogdanovic, Fitzel said: "I think it's an excellent move. There are now two important players for the national team at the same club and that makes it easier for me to follow their progress and to communicate with the Barnsley coach."

Fitzel is also exploring the possibility of sending invitations to a trio of Australian-based players for a trial with the national team.

The Czech mentor also revealed that he's been closely monitoring the performances of Floriana defender Sunday Eboh this season.

"I've been watching him," Fitzel said. "He's in my mind."

Malta squad

Goalkeepers - J. Haber, A. Hogg, M. Muscat.

Defenders - A. Agius, I. Azzopardi, R. Briffa, L. Dimech, C. Failla, A. Muscat, B. Said, K. Scicluna, A. Xuereb.

Midfielders - S. Bajada, R. Fenech, G. Mallia, J. Pace, G. Agius, I. Woods, K. Sammut.

Forwards - C. Frendo, A. Cohen, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, T. Scerri.