Bogdanovic, Hutchinson in line for Malta return

Malta coach John Buttigieg is expected to name four foreign-based players in his 18-man squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Greece on March 26.

Although Buttigieg is set to finalise his squad selection after this weekend’s U*Bet FA Trophy quarter-finals, it is understood that the Malta coach has already indicated his intention to call up Sheffield United forward Daniel Bogdanovic, midfielder John Hutchinson, of Australian club Central Coast Mariners, and Ferencvaros duo Andrè Schembri and Justin Haber for this month’s Group F match.

Schembri and Haber featured for Malta in last month’s friendly match against Switzerland at Ta’ Qali, which ended goalless, but Bogdanovic and Hutchinson were not involved.

Bogdanovic pulled out of the squad after straining his hamstring in Sheffield United’s 3-0 defeat to Ipswich Town. The gifted forward, who turns 31 on the day of Malta’s game against Greece, made a substitute appearance in the 3-0 upset at Watford last Saturday, a result which dealt another blow to the Blades’ hopes of avoiding relegation from The Championship. Sheffield United are second from bottom on 32 points, six adrift of safety.

Hutchinson missed last month’s warm-up due to important commitments with Central Coast Mariners. Last weekend, the Mariners endured a heartbreaking defeat in the A-League grand final, losing to Brisbane Roar on penalties after surrendering a two-goal lead in extra-time. Hutchinson, 30, came on after 60 minutes of Sunday’s nailbiting final.

It was not a happy weekend for Malta’s foreign-based players as Ferencvaros suffered a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of league leaders Videoton in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash.

Schembri played the full match against Videoton but goalkeeper Haber, who was Malta’s hero in the draw against Switzerland after saving two penalties, was left out of the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Ryan Fenech is also expected to earn a recall to the Malta squad for the Greece qualifier after injury ruled him out of last month’s friendly.

The 26-year-old midfielder was one of Valletta’s best players in Sunday’s 3-0 derby win over Floriana.

Roderick Briffa is doubtful as he is recovering from a hamstring problem.

Malta are bottom of Group F with no points from four matches.

Malta’s U-21 squad, led by coach Ray Farrugia, are also stepping up their preparations for their friendly match against Montenegro on March 25 at the Hibs Stadium.

After launching his second spell at the helm of Malta’s U-21 team with a creditable 0-0 draw against the U-19 side of Serie A club Catania last month, Farrugia will be gunning for another positive result against Montenegro to strengthen the players’ self-confidence in their build-up for the 2013 UEFA U-21 European Championship qualifiers.

Malta have been drawn in Group Two along with Sweden, Ukraine, Finland, Slovenia and Lithuania.