Balzan right-back Justin Grioli has earned a recall to the Malta squad for the final two Euro 2016 qualifiers away to Norway on October 10 and at home to Croatia three days later.
Malta coach Pietro Ghedin has rewarded Grioli for his bright form in the domestic championship as the 28-year-old has turned in a series of enterprising performances on the right wing to help Balzan climb to the top of the standings alongside champions Hibernians.
Ghedin usually names a provisional 25-man squad ahead of international games before trimming it to 23 but this time, the Italian has already picked the players who, barring injuries, will make the trip to Norway for tomorrow week’s qualifier.
The short time between this weekend’s six-match Premier League programme and the squad’s departure to Oslo on Wednesday was probably the biggest factor behind Ghedin’s decision not to call an additional two or three players to his squad.
Apart from Grioli’s inclusion, there are no surprises in Ghedin’s selection.
With Valletta defender Jonathan Caruana sidelined after injuring his medial collateral ligament in the 1-0 defeat to Hibernians, Ghedin has retained Sliema Wanderers centre-half Clifford Gatt Baldacchino in his squad.
Birkirkara midfielder Paul Fenech is back in the frame after suspension kept him out of the 2-2 draw against Azerbaijan at the National Stadium last month.
Floriana’s Clyde Borg, who had been drafted into the squad as a replacement for Fenech ahead of the Azerbaijan game, has kept his place but Qormi’s on-loan striker Terence Vella has not been selected.
Vella received a late call-up on the eve of the team’s departure to Florence for the Italy qualifier (0-1) after Balzan midfielder Dylan Grima suffered a cartilage injury during training.
Grima, who made his return for Balzan a few weeks ago, has been left out of the latest squad along with club-mate Ryan Fenech who has yet to fully recover from a groin injury.
The high-flying Balzan have two players in Ghedin’s squad, Grioli and striker Alfred Effiong who scored Malta’s second goal in the draw against Azerbaijan.
Captain Michael Mifsud, whose fine strike against the Azeris extended his record-breaking tally for Malta to 40 goals, will fancy his chances of adding to his 112 caps after holding on to his place in the squad.
Birkirkara boast the largest contingent of players – six – in Ghedin’s squad followed by champions Hibernans with four.
Until a few months ago, hopes were high that Valletta’s Cameroonian winger Njongo Priso would be available to represent Malta ahead of the last two qualifiers but his absence suggests that his application for a Maltese passport is taking longer than expected.
Ghedin, who is approaching the end of his contract, will be hoping that the players in his 23-strong squad suffer no injury setbacks in this weekend’s games which conclude on Sunday evening with the game between Hibernians and Mosta.
Malta are bottom of Group H with two points, four behind Azerbaijan.
Bulgaria have eight points while Norway (16) and Croatia (14) are fighting it out for direct qualification to the Euro 2016 finals.
Italy lead the way on 18 points.
Malta’s 23-man squad
Goalkeepers: Henry Bonello (Valletta); Justin Haber (Birkirkara); Andrew Hogg (AEL Kalloni).
Defenders: Andrei Agius, Clayton Failla (both Hibernians); Steve Borg (Aris Limassol); Ryan Camilleri (Valletta); Zach Muscat, Joseph Zerafa (both Birkirkara); Alex Muscat, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (both Sliema Wanderers); Justin Grioli (Balzan).
Midfielders: Roderick Briffa (Valletta); Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat (all Birkirkara); Bjorn Kristensen (Hibs); Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg (both Floriana).
Forwards: Andrew Cohen (Hibs); Michael Mifsud (Sliema Wanderers); Andrè Schembri (AC Omonia); Alfred Effiong (Balzan).