Malta coach Pietro Ghedin (right) with Jurgen Pisani during training at the Ta’ Qali grounds.

Malta coach Pietro Ghedin has decided to promote Michael Johnson, Cain Attard and Jurgen Bezzina to the national squad ahead of Sunday evening’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia at the National Stadium (kick-off: 20.45).

Earlier this month, all three were named in the experimental ‘B’ selection and on Tuesday they assembled and practised for the first time at Ta’ Qali under the watchful eyes of the Italian mentor whose plans for the Slovakia match have been derailed after the withdrawal of key players from the squad.

Experienced duo Jonathan Caruana, of Valletta, and Andrei Agius, of Hibernians, had already created a huge void at the back as they have to serve suspension.

Ghedin’s problems, however, got even more complicated following the forfeits of defender Jurgen Pisani (Floriana) and Rowen Muscat, the Valletta midfielder due to injury.

Pisani twisted his knee during training on Tuesday and first reports suggest he is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Muscat failed to regain full fitness after straining an adductor muscle. He had also skipped City’s 1-0 win over Balzan last week.

Despite the latest hiccups in his plans, Ghedin remains positive, knowing he now has the ‘B’ selection options.

“I was really pleased with the effort and attitude shown by Michael Johnson, Cain Attard and Johann Bezzina during training this week,” Ghedin told Times of Malta yesterday.

“That’s why we decided to include them in the squad for the rest of the week.

“They have shown lots of motivation and that’s the kind of character we want to see in the ‘B’ squad. We want players who are committed and ready to take their chances.

“Their presence in the group will increase competition for places ahead of the match against Slovakia.”

Tomorrow, Ghedin will trim his squad to 20 players and Birkirkara wing-back Attard is favourite to make the final selection.

Boavista striker Andre Schembri, Luke Gambin, the Luton Town winger, Arezzo defender Zach Muscat and Sam Magri, who plays at the back for Dover Athletic, joined their team-mates for training at Ta’ Qali earlier this week.

On Sunday, the national team will be looking to collect their first point in this World Cup campaign but the task will not be easy with Slovakia also chasing maximum points to boost their qualification hopes.

In their last group outing, they trounced fellow eastern Europeans Lithuania 4-0 to move up to the six-point mark, four behind top side England.

On Sunday, Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions take on Lithuania at Wembley Stadium.

U-21 friendly

This evening, Malta U-21 make their first appearance of the year when they face Luxembourg in a friendly at the Stade Albert Berchem, in Kehlen (kick-off: 18.30).

Malta Under 21 coach Silvio Vella has 18 players available for the warm-up ahead of the side’s opening UEFA Championship Group Six against Belgium, in Louvain, on Monday.

Vella has several new faces in his squad and most of them are likely to be given their debuts against Luxembourg, chalking up useful minutes on the pitch which should come in handy for the upcoming qualifying campaign.