Haber returns, Mifsud and Caruana ruled out of Latvia clash

Goalkeeper Justin Haber is back in the frame for Malta’s final Euro 2012 assignments against Latvia and Israel after a calf injury kept him out of last month’s home qualifiers against Croatia and Georgia.

Haber has been named in Malta’s 18-strong squad for the Latvia game after completing his recovery from the calf problem he suffered while training for his Greek club Kerkyra.

Valletta’s Andrew Hogg, who started the last two qualifiers, is the other goalkeeper in Malta’s 18-man squad.

Injuries have deprived Malta coach John Buttigieg of two of his most experienced forwards as captain Michael Mifsud and Daniel Bogdanovic are sidelined with hamstring problems.

Mifsud has resumed light training as he continues to recover from the hamstring tear he suffered in Valletta’s 3-0 victory over Mosta but the prolific striker is not yet 100 per cent fit to play.

Bogdanovic has pulled out of the squad after picking up a hamstring strain in Blackpool’s 5-0 thrashing of Bristol City last weekend. The 31-year-old, who scored a brace in Saturday’s league game, is set to have an MRI scan tomorrow and remains hopeful of getting the all clear to play in Tuesday’s home qualifier against Israel.

The hamstring jinx claimed another victim yesterday as Jonathan Caruana was also ruled out of the Latvia qualifier.

The lanky defender injured his hamstring during Valletta’s 4-2 win over Mqabba last weekend but there was cautious optimism in the Malta clan that the defender would recover sufficiently to make the trip to Latvia this morning.

However, Caruana’s name was conspicuous by its absence from the 18-man squad Buttigieg named yesterday evening.

Caruana’s absence is a blow for Malta as he has been a pillar of the defence in the last three years.

The 24-year-old missed the defeat to Croatia after falling sick before the match but returned for the Georgia clash.

Valletta defender Steve Borg, who has yet to make his first appearance for Malta, and Birkirkara’s Joseph Zerafa were both included in the 18-man list.

Buttigieg has four foreign-based players in his squad. Haber is joined by striker Andre Schembri, who has just signed for Greek club Panionios, Latina defender Andrei Agius and midfielder John Hutchinson, who is playing on loan with Chinese club Chengdu Blades.

Malta’s qualifier against Latvia, at the Skonto Stadium, will kick off at 8 p.m.

Latvia are out of contention for a top-two finish and possible qualification to the Euro 2012 finals as they are second from bottom with eight points.

Malta have one point from eight qualifiers.

Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Justin Haber (Kerkyra), Andrew Hogg (Valletta).
Defenders: Roderick Briffa (Valletta), Edward Herrera (Hibs), Carlo Mamo (Marsaxlokk), Clayton Failla (Hibs), Andrei Agius (Latina Calcio), Steve Borg (Valletta), Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara).
Midfielders: Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), John Hutchinson (Chengdu Blades), Jamie Pace (Valletta), Ryan Fenech (Valletta), Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara), Trevor Cilia (Birkirkara).
Forwards: Ivan Woods (Floriana), Andre Schembri (Panionios), Andrew Cohen (Hibs).

Latvia squad
Goalkeepers: A. Vanins (Sion), P. Dorosevs (Qabala), G. Malins (Skonto).
Defenders: O. Klava (Khimki), D. Ivanovs (Baku), K. Gorkss (Reading), R. Krjauklis (L. Metalurgs), P.Mihadjuks (L. Metalurgs), R. Rugins (Ventspils), V. Smirnovs (Skonto).
Midfielders: A. Fertovs (Skonto), O. Laizans (Ventspils), A. Cauna (CSKA Moscow), A. Visnakovs (Cracovia), I. Lukjanovs (Lechia Gdansk), A. Rubins (S. Zagatala), A.Lazdins (Jelgava), I. Tarasovs (Skonto).
Forwards: M. Verpakovskis (Baku), A. Rudnevs (Lech Poznan), E.Gauracs (E. Krasnoyarsk), A. Pereplotkins (Qarshi).

Bonus differences

Meanwhile, national squad members are seeking clarification from the MFA over bonus payments.

Well-placed sources have told The Times that the players are claiming that the line-up bonus they received for the friendly against the Central African Republic was significantly less than the sum they had verbally agreed with MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo and CEO Bjorn Vassallo during talks over the removal of training allow-ances.

The players are contending that the MFA had pledged to pay a €700 line-up bonus for competitive and friendly matches but they only received €300 for the August friendly, which Malta won 2-1.

The MFA are believed to be disputing the players’ claim that they had promised the same line-up bonus for friendlies and competitive games.

The players are also calling on the Malta FA to extend the payment of the appearance bonus to those players who are left out of the squad on matchday.