Sliema's Muscat suffers suspected cruciate injury
Floriana make approach for Ivan Woods
Sliema Wanderers' wing-back Alex Muscat faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a suspected cruciate ligament injury.
Muscat is expected to fly to Belgium next week for further tests on his injury. If the initial prognosis that Muscat has ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee is confirmed, the Sliema player will stay in Belgium to undergo surgery.
As the recovery from a cruciate operation normally takes six months or more, Muscat is likely to miss the first four months of the domestic season as well as Malta's opening four Euro 2012 qualifiers.
News of Muscat's knee injury is a blow for Sliema as the 25-year-old is a key player for the Blues. Muscat, who picked up the injury during training a few weeks ago, played no part in Sliema's Europa League first qualifying round matches against Croatia's HNK Sibenik.
It remains to be seen whether Sliema Wanderers will delve into the transfer market to sign a short-term replacement for Muscat.
The Blues' close-season activity has been generally restricted to foreign players after the club awarded contracts to Hungarian goalkeeper Viktor Szentpeteri, Ivory Coast defender Sekou Tidiane Souare, Portuguese midfielder Valdo Alhinho and Nigerian forward Obinna Obiefule.
It also emerged yesterday that Floriana are interested in Sliema midfielder Ivan Woods.
The Greens, now under the charge of Bulgarian coach Todor Raykov, have already made an approach to Sliema for Woods who pulled out of Malta's training camp in Italy to stay with his wife who gave birth to a baby girl, the couple's third daughter, earlier this week.
Sources have told The Times that Sliema will discuss Floriana's proposal to sign Woods in the coming days.
Sliema are also in talks with Vittoriosa Stars over the transfer of Henry Bonello. The Malta U-21 goalkeeper spent last season on loan with Vittoriosa who are reportedly keen to make Bonello's move permanent.
Floriana currently have a host of foreign players on trial but they are expected to offer a new contract to Argentine Pablo Doffo and have also closed in on a Bulgarian midfielder.
The Greens, who have re-signed Mano Micallef on a season-long loan from Ħamrun Spartans, are also said to be mulling a move for Tyrone Farrugia, the highly-rated Msida St Joseph defender.
Meanwhile, Floriana are to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting on Friday, starting at 7 p.m. The club's rift with Greens Investments over the use of the artificial turf pitches in Floriana is the top item on the EGM's agenda.