Uncapped trio in Buttigieg's 18-man list for Bulgaria friendly

Steve Bezzina, Paul Fenech and Edward Herrera are in line to earn their first cap for Malta in Wednesday's friendly against Bulgaria after they were named in John Buttigieg's 18-man squad.

Having been included in Malta's provisional pool last week, the uncapped trio received Buttigieg's nod on Saturday to stay with the team ahead of Wednesday's friendly at the Hibs Ground (kick-off 7 p.m.).

As was to be expected, Daniel Bogdanovic has been confirmed in Malta's 18-man list. The skilful forward did not figure in the first five matches Malta played under Buttigieg but his vibrant perfor-mances for English Championship side Barnsley induced the national coach to recall Bogdanovic.

SS Cassino defender Andrei Agius is also back in the picture after being left out of the squad for Malta's final two World Cup qualifiers against Sweden (0-1) and Portugal (0-4).

Michael Mifsud has benefited from another vote of confidence from Buttigieg as the nippy striker is on the final roster despite still being without a club.

Aaron Xuereb will be hopeful of making his first appearance in a Malta shirt in several months after gaining a spot in Buttigieg's squad selection.

Xuereb's career has been beset by a series of nagging injuries for much of the past year but the towering Hibs defender has been training normally in the last two weeks after completing his recovery from his latest setback.

Not the same can be said of Xuereb's Hibs team-mates Andrew Cohen and Jonathan Caruana, and Sliema Wanderers' wing-back Alex Muscat, who are still sidelined with injuries.

Buttigieg's decision to rely on Valletta left-back Bezzina, Herrera, the Hibs' wing-back, and Birkirkara midfielder Fenech meant that other established players had to make way for the newcomers.

Ian Azzopardi, who was in Buttigieg's starting line-up for the last two qualifiers, George Mallia, Etienne Barbara and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza have been omitted from Malta's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Bulgaria. The latter drew 0-0 with Ukrainian club side Shakhtar Donetsk in a friendly last Friday.

Malta Squad

Goalkeepers: Andrew Hogg (Valletta), Mario Muscat (Hibs).

Defenders: Andrei Agius (SS Cassino), Shaun Bajada (Birkirkara), Steve Bezzina (Valletta), Edward Herrera (Hibs), Brian Said (Floriana), Aaron Xuereb (Hibs).

Midfielders: Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Roderick Briffa (Valletta), Clayton Failla (Sliema Wanderers), Ryan Fenech (Sliema Wanderers), Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Jamie Pace (Valletta), Kevin Sammut (Valletta).

Forwards: Daniel Bogdanovic (Barnsley), Michael Mifsud (no club), Ivan Woods (Sliema Wanderers).