The past 18 months have been anything but rosy for Alex Muscat but the Sliema Wanderers captain has rediscovered the feel-good factor as he prepares to face Norway today.

Muscat has reclaimed his status as a key member in the national squad after coming through a very difficult period last season following a second cruciate surgery in the space of four years.

Muscat said: “Being out for six months is not easy. The first three to four months after the recovery are difficult because you need time to get back into the flow of things, also in the domestic competitions.

“Confidence is low at the beginning and it can take you several months to recover fully. But, gradually, you begin to improve, both mentally and physically.

“I feel stronger now and looking forward to the game against Norway.”

Muscat looks set to keep his place in Pietro Ghedin’s formation this evening after starting the last two qualifiers against Italy (0-1) and Azerbaijan (2-2).

The 30-year-old admitted that his return to the squad helped him in no small way to regain his self-confidence.

“Being part of the national team is a boost,” Muscat, who has made 30 appearances for the national team, said.

“When you’re left out of the squad, it can affect you. Once I had recovered from my injury, I was called back into the squad and that was a massive tonic for me as it made me more determined not to give up.”

The right-back will have his hands full this evening as Norway are widely expected to attack from the flanks but Muscat is not losing hope.

“There is no doubt that this is going to be a difficult game for us,” Muscat said.

“We usually find it difficult to play against Scandinavian teams but Malta have surprised a few sides in the past.

“On our day and with all the players giving their 100 per cent, we can get a result like we did in Bulgaria and in the home game against Azerbaijan last month.”