Balzan’s Ryan Fenech (left) and Mark Scerri, of Sliema, were both named in the Malta squad, yesterday.

Malta coach Pietro Ghedin has named a 23-strong squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F qualifier against Slovakia, to be played on March 26 at the National Stadium (kick-off 20.45).

Ghedin’s first selection for 2017 contains some significant changes from his last squads for the home qualifier against Slovenia (0-1) and the friendly defeat to Iceland (0-2) in November.

“I believe that we’ve selected the players who are in the best form,” Ghedin told www.mfa.com.mt.

“The objective is to improve all the time.

“Players who harbour ambition to represent their country must give more, especially when playing for their clubs.

“This squad represents my technical choice after assessing the form of the players in the majority of the BOV Premier League and FA Trophy games over the past months.”

Experienced midfielder Ryan Fenech has been rewarded for his influential performances for BOV Premier League leaders Balzan with a recall to the Malta squad.

Fenech, 30, is back in the national team’s frame after an absence of two years due to injury.

There is also a return for a host of players who have not featured in recent squads with flank defender Jacob Borg also forcing his way back into Ghedin’s plans after playing a prominent role in Gżira United’s revival of late.

Defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, also of Gżira United, has also earned a recall while the likes of Ryan Camenzuli (Floriana), Luke Montebello (Valletta) and Samir Arab (Balzan), all key members of the Malta U-21 side that collected 11 points in the last UEFA U-21 qualifiers, are also on the provisional list.

Ghedin added: “Those players who have missed out can easily get back into the squad for future games… it depends on them.

“We have also been monitoring Under-21 players who were also in contention to make the senior squad but our decision was to leave them with the U-21s for this month’s friendly against Luxembourg and the qualifying match against Belgium so they gain more international experience.”

Rowen Muscat is on the initial list but Ghedin is expected to make a final decision on the Valletta midfielder’s availability after the weekend games as the 25-year-old is currently recovering from a minor injury.

Hamsik, Kucka in squad

Slovakia coach Jan Kozak also named a provisional 24-man squad for the match.

Kozak’s initial selection features several foreign-based players, including Napoli stalwart Marek Hamsik, Milan Skriniar, of Sampdoria, Martin Skrtel, the Fenerbahce defender, and Milan midfielder Juraj Kucka.

Slovakia cruised to a 4-0 home win over Lithuania in their last qualifier.

Provisional squads

Malta

Goalkeepers: A. Hogg (Hibernians); H. Bonello (Birkirkara).

Defenders: J. Borg, C. Gatt Baldacchino (both Gżira); Z. Muscat (Arezzo); S. Magri (Dover Athletic); J. Pisani, R. Camenzuli (both Floriana); R. Camilleri (Valletta); S. Arab (Balzan); J. Zerafa (Birkirkara).

Midfielders: G. Sciberras (Birkir-kara); R. Muscat (Valletta); B Kristensen (Hibernians); S. Pisani (Floriana); L Gambin (Luton); P. Fenech, R Fenech (both Balzan); M. Scerri (Sliema Wanderers).

Forwards: M. Mifsud (Valletta); A. Schembri (Boavista); J.P. Farrugia (Sliema); L. Montebello (Valletta).

Slovakia

Goalkeepers: M. Kozacik (V.  Pilsen), J. Novota (R. Vienna), M. Dubravka (S. Liberec).

Defenders: P. Pekarik (H. Berlin), M. Skrtel (Fenerbahce), M. Skriniar (Sampdoria), J. Durica (Trabzonspor), E Sabo (B. Jerusalem), K. Salata (S.  Bratislava), T. Hubocan (Marseille), N. Gyomber (T. Grozny), J. Holubek (Zilina).

Midfielders: J. Gregus (FC Copenhagen), P. Hrosovsky (V. Pilsen), J. Kucka (Milan), F. Kiss (FK Haugesund), S. Lobotka (FC Nordsjaelland), M. Hamsik (Napoli), R. Mak (Zenit SP), V. Weiss (Al-Gharafa), M. Bero (Trabzonspor), A. Rusnák (Real Salt Lake City).

Forwards: M. Duris (FK Orenburg), A. Nemec (D. Bucharest).