Malta U-21 coach Silvio Vella named nine uncapped players in his 18-man squad ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s warm-up against Azerbaijan at the Hibs Stadium.

The match against the Azeris sees the Maltese youngsters kicking off preparations for their participation in the UEFA U-21 qualifying campaign which gets under way next year.

Vella has kept faith with his two most experienced goalkeepers in the group as Jurgen Borg, of Hibs, and Valletta’s Yenz Cini made the cut at the expense of the uncapped Matthew Calleja Cremona. The Pembroke keeper had been included in the provisional list.

In defence, Floriana’s Emmanuel Briffa, Ryan Cassar, of Naxxar, and St Andrew’s player Michael Johnson will be eyeing their first Malta U-21 cap after making the final list but Rabat’s Zachary Tanti misses out.

Birkirkara’s Antoine Borg, Terence Agius, of Pietà Hotspurs, and Kurt Zammit, of Mosta, are also in contention for a first start alongside Kyle Cesare, of Pietà, who was an unused substitute in the 3-0 defeat to Turkey last September.

Up front, Vella will bank on newcomers Luke Montebello, of Valletta, and Ħamrun Spartans’ forward Ryan Spiteri.

The Squad

Keepers: J. Borg (Hibs), Y. Cini (Valletta).

Defenders: S. Arab (Balzan) C. Attard (Pietà Hotspurs), E. Briffa (Floriana), R. Cassar (Naxxar), M. Johnson (St Andrew’s).

Midfielders: T. Agius (Pietà Hotspurs), J. Bezzina (Hibernians), A. Borg (Birkirkara), R. Camenzuli (Bir-kirkara), K. Cesare (Pietà Hotspurs), L. Cremona (Valletta), B. Muscat (St George’s), K. Zammit (Mosta), D. Zerafa (St George’s).

Forwards: L. Montebello (Valletta), R. Spiteri (Ħamrun Spartans).