Dimech comeback looms as Gatt names 23-man squad

Veteran defender Luke Dimech is set to come out of international retirement after being named in Malta’s provisional squad for the home friendly match against Liechtenstein on February 29 (kick-off 7.30 p.m.).

Dimech, who is in his second season with Cypriot top-division club AEK Larnaca, has not appeared for the national team since being controversially omitted from the squad by former coach John Buttigieg ahead of the friendly against Georgia in August 2009.

Robert Gatt, the Malta FA technical director who has taken charge of the national team on an interim basis, has called up all six of Malta’s foreign-based players, including Etienne Barbara who has been out of the national squad for a long time.

Barbara recently joined MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps.

The up-and-coming Zack Muscat and Bjorn Kristensen, who is currently having a trial with Everton, have been included in the 23-man squad announced yesterday but Malta U-21 captain Rowen Muscat has missed out as he has been sidelined for three weeks with an ankle injury.

The Birkirkara midfielder is expected to rejoin the U-21 squad ahead of their friendly against Hungary, also scheduled for February 29.

Provisional squad
Goalkeepers: J. Haber (Kerkyra); H. Bonello (Sliema Wanderers); A. Hogg (Valletta).

Defenders: A. Agius (Latina); S. Borg, R. Briffa, J. Caruana (all Valletta); L. Dimech (AEK Larnaca); C. Failla, E. Herrera (both Hibs); A. Muscat (Sliema); Z. Muscat (Pietà Hotspurs).

Midfielders: E. Agius (Valletta); S. Bajada, P. Fenech, G. Sciberras (all Birkirkara); R. Fenech (Sliema); B. Kristensen (Hibs).

Forwards: E. Barbara (Vancouver Whitecaps); D. Bogdanovic (Blackpool); A. Cohen (Hibs); M. Mifsud (Valletta); A. Schembri (Panionios).