Spartak Trnava striker Jean Paul Farrugia will replace Malta captain Michael Mifsud in tomorrow's Euro 2016 Group H qualifier against Bulgaria at the Vassil Levski Stadium in Sofia.
Malta coach Pietro Ghedin told a news conference today that Farrugia, who joined Slovakian side Spartak Trnava on a one-year loan from Hibernians last summer, will stand in for Mifsud who is serving suspension following his red card in the 1-0 defeat to Italy last month.
"Michael Mifsud is an icon of Maltese football and we are feeling his absence but this is also an opportunity to give space to a young player," Ghedin said.
"Jean Paul Farrugia will replace Mifsud for this game. We still don't know for sure if Mifsud has been suspended for two or three games but I'm sure that whoever plays instead of him will do his duty."
Tomorrow's match against Bulgaria is Malta's fourth in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. Malta are still without a point after losing to Croatia (0-2), Norway (0-3) and Italy (0-1). Bulgaria are under intense pressure to revive their qualifying bid after gaining only three points from their opening three qualifiers.
With Malta players Clayton Failla and Paul Fenech both stressing the need to approach this game without fear, Ghedin said he was pleased to hear that from two of his key players.
"We know that this will be a difficult match for us but I'm pleased to hear my players say that they are going into the game with no fear," Ghedin said.
"We should not be afraid. We want to play well with the conviction that we also have a good team. I have faith in my players and proud that they are talking that way before this game.
"I'm optimistic that we can produce a good performance here."
Failla, the Hibs wing-back, said the players are eager to atone for the 6-0 defeat to Bulgaria in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
"Everyone knows that this is another difficult game for us but we have shown character in the game against Italy," Failla said.
"Last year, we suffered a heavy defeat to Bulgaria but we played a lot better in the home match, losing 2-1.
"We hope to get a good result."
Apart from Mifsud, defender Steve Borg will serve the last of a three-match ban following his red card in Malta's 1-0 defeat to Croatia in September.
Jonathan Caruana is back after missing the opening three qualifiers due to a groin injury.
Malta had a training session at the Vassil Levski Stadium this morning. Ghedin said all the players are fit and in good shape after last weekend's Premier League matches.
Photo - Paul Zammit Cutajar