Malta Under-21 national coach Ray Farrugia yesterday included no fewer than four new players in his final squad for next Wednesday’s UEFA Champion-ship Group Seven qualifier against Sweden at the National Stadium.

The Maltese team are anchored at the bottom of the standings in the qualifying group with no points and a poor goals-against record, having conceded 25 goals in six matches.

Indeed, the chances of getting off the mark look rather slim this week as Farrugia lost a couple of key players including midfielder Bjorn Kristensen and defender Zach Muscat.

Kristensen was promoted to the senior squad to beef up Pietro Ghedin’s squad following the decision to omit six Valletta FC players from selection ahead of Wednesday’s away international friendly against Albania.

Goalkeeper Yenz Cini and striker Luke Montebello were also not considered for selection following Valletta’s decision not to send their players for national team training last Thursday and Friday and instead conduct recovery under the tutelage of club coach Andre Paus.

Muscat will be serving suspension against Sweden, making it probable for either Shaun Gauci, of Rabat Ajax, or promising Pieta Hotspurs full-back Cain Attard to make their first showing for the U-21 team.

The other two newcomers in Farrugia’s group are Keith Tanti, the St George’s defender, and Rabat Ajax striker Ryan Micallef.

Malta have already played Sweden in this qualifying campaign. They lost the away match 5-0 in November last year.

The squad

Goalkeepers: J. Borg (Hibernians); M. Calleja Cremona (Pembroke Athleta).

Defenders: C. Grech (Pieta Hotspurs); Sacha Borg (Floriana); Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara); C. Attard (Pieta Hotspurs); L. Cutajar (unattached); J. Pisani (Pieta Hotspurs); S. Gauci (Rabat Ajax); K. Tanti (St George’s).

Midfielders: C. Borg (Floriana); D. Zerafa (Birkirkara); B. Farrugia (Floriana); R. Scicluna (Birkirkara).

Forwards: J.P. Farrugia (Hibernians); L. Micallef (Balzan); S. Pisani (Floriana); R. Micallef (Rabat Ajax).