Pietro Ghedin has named uncapped duo Terence Vella and Ayrton Azzopardi in his 18-man squad for Friday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic.

The national coach finalised his selection late yesterday after a second training session of the day, Malta’s last at home before heading out to Prague this morning.

The inclusion of Vella, currently playing for Ħamrun Spartans on loan from Birkirkara, and Hibs youngster Azzopardi is likely to be met with surprise in some quarters as both have only recently been called up to join the national squad.

Vella, 22, was a mainstay in Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia’s Malta U-21 team in the last UEFA qualifying campaign but Azzo-pardi, who turns 19 in December, is still something of an unknown quantity as he has yet to establish himself in Hibs’ first team.

By choosing two promising youngsters, Ghedin has shown a willingness to infuse some fresh blood into his squad as both left a very positive impression on the Italian during practice.

Ghedin has a shortage of wide midfield players after Andrew Cohen joined Daniel Bogdanovic and Ryan Fenech on the injured list.

Cohen hurt his elbow in Hibs’ 4-0 defeat to Sliema Wanderers last weekend, Bogdanovic is recovering from a foot fracture and Fenech has an adductor injury.

Bogdanovic’s absence means that Ghedin must make at least one change from the team that started the 2-0 defeat to Italy in Modena last month.

The Mosta winger was replaced by Cohen in the second half while Fenech was an unused substitute.

On the positive side, Michael Mifsud has received the all-clear to travel to the Czech Republic.

Mifsud came off at half-time of Valletta’s 1-1 draw with Birkirkara last weekend with a dead leg.

The Malta captain is also nursing a bruise in his thigh but he’s expected to make a full recovery by Friday evening.

John Mintoff and Paul Fenech have also been included in Ghedin’s travelling party alongside the established personnel.

Goalkeeper Andrew Hogg, who plays for Enosis Neon Paralimni in Cyprus, Latina defender Andrei Agius and André Schembri, who is on the books of Cypriot club AC Omonia, are the three foreign-based players in the squad.

Hibs wing-back Clayton Failla is unavailable as he is serving a four-month ban after he took a prohibited substance.

Failla has reportedly filed an appeal against his suspension.

In their opening Group B qualifier, the Czechs drew 0-0 away to Denmark.

Pietro Ghedin’s squad...

Goalkeepers: A. Hogg (E.N. Paralimni), J. Haber (Mosta).

Defenders: J. Caruana, S. Borg (both Valletta), L. Dimech (Mosta), A. Agius (Latina), R. Camilleri (Hibs), A. Muscat (Sliema Wanderers).

Midfielders: R. Briffa, S. Bajada (both Valletta), G. Sciberras, P. Fenech, E. Herrera (all Birkirkara), J. Mintoff (Sliema), A. Azzopardi (Hibs).

Forwards: A. Schembri (AC Omonia Nicosia), M. Mifsud (Valletta), T. Vella (Ħamrun Spartans).