Etienne Barbara has made it clear he has no plans of returning to the Maltese Premier League as yet and is keeping his fingers crossed that he can earn a contract with English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
The former Malta international is currently seeking a new club after his contract with German Regionalliga side, SC Verle, expired at the end of last season.
Barbara, 27, is currently on a one-week trial with Sheffield Wednesday.
He formed part of the Owls' squad that won the JPL Cup at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Monday after beating Dingli Swallows and Floriana in a triangular tournament. He played the full 45 minutes in the 1-0 win over Floriana, his former club.
"I am really pleased that I was given the opportunity to show my skills with a club like Sheffield Wednesday," Barbara told The Times yesterday.
"Playing in England has always been my ambition and I'm working very hard to show that I deserve to form part of the Sheffield Wednesday squad.
"Unfortunately, I haven't played a full match since my contract with SC Verle ended last May. During this period I have done some training with the MFA fitness coach but I'm still far off from my best condition.
"But, I practised regularly with Sheffield Wednesday this week and I felt at ease right from the start. The players have been very welcoming and that helped me to settle in the group quickly. During the tournament I tried hard to leave a good impression but I can't say whether I have done enough or not."
Barbara, who also played for Birkirkara and Sliema in the Premier League, has another opportunity to show his talent to Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws this evening when the Owls play in another one-day tournament, the Sliema Centennial Cup.
Wednesday will face sterner opposition this time in Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara. The first match, at the Tedesco Stadium, is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.
"The Sliema Centennial Cup will be another test for me," he said.
"With the trial coming to a close on Friday, it will be my last chance to convince the coach. I will be playing against two of my former teams here so I know what to expect."
Barbara insisted that if he fails to win a deal with Sheffield Wednesday he has no plans of returning to Maltese football.
"My ambition is to keep playing abroad," Barbara said.
"I have engaged a new agent this summer who is trying to establish some contacts. I found it very difficult to adapt in Germany with SC Verle and now I have set my sights on moving to England or Italy. I feel that the only way to improve as a player is to play in a foreign league and I hope that I will settle my future in the coming weeks.
"My main goal is to regain a berth in the national squad and to achieve that I have to play regular football. In the last year or so I lost my place in the national team but I feel that I am still good enough to win back Mr Fitzel's confidence. It won't be easy but I'm ready to give it my best shot."