Gilbert Agius, Alex Muscat and goalkeeper Mario Muscat have been called back into Malta's squad for Wednesday's home World Cup qualifier against Sweden.
Malta coach John Buttigieg has elected to make three alterations from the 18-man pool he selected for Friday's international friendly against Cape Verde who won 2-0.
Agius, the veteran Malta captain, and Alex Muscat sat out Friday's warm-up to aid their recovery from slight injuries and the duo have since received the medical go-ahead to be in the squad for Wednesday's tie at the National Stadium.
Confirmation that Agius and Muscat had shaken off their injuries meant that Buttigieg had to drop two players from his previous squad with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Andrei Agius making way for the returning duo.
While Mifsud Triganza's omission is unlikely to be greeted with surprise, in light of the Sliema Wanderers striker's limited first-team opportunities at internatoinal level in the last year, Buttigieg's decision to ditch Andrei Agius is sure to be met with a few raised eyebrows.
Andrei Agius, who plays for SS Cassino in Italy's Serie C2 league, has been widely touted for a regular berth in the national team after a string of fine performances in the heart of defence.
The former Igea Virtus defender left a very positive impression in Malta's 2-0 win over Georgia last month but he only made a cameo appearance in last Friday's lame defeat to Cape Verde.
With experienced defender Luke Dimech still out of the picture due to differences with Buttigieg, Andrei Agius's exclusion means that two established defenders have been overlooked for what promises to be a gruelling test for Malta on Wednesday.
Justin Haber, who guarded Malta's goal in the second half of last Friday's friendly, has also failed to make the cut for the match against Sweden after Buttigieg decided to recall veteran goalkeeper Mario Muscat. The Hibs custodian had been left out of the 18-man squad for the friendly against Cape Verde.
Meanwhile, Buttigieg was at the Ferenc Puskas stadium on Saturday to watch the World Cup qualifier between Hungary and Sweden.
Buttigieg was back in Malta yesterday after travelling to Budapest on Saturday afternoon to run the rule over Sweden.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed a last-gasp winner as Sweden stayed in contention for a top-two finish in Group One with a 2-1 win against Hungary.
The Barcelona striker enjoyed a huge slice of luck when Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Babos saved his shot but could only watch incredulously as the ball bounced over the line off Ibrahimovic's chest.
Sweden had looked as though they would have to settle for a draw in Budapest after a penalty from Szabolcs Huszti cancelled out Olof Mellberg's early opener.
Ibrahimovic's fortuitious goal will have strengthened Sweden's determination to see off Malta and keep their qualification hopes alive.
Sweden, who landed in Malta yesterday afternoon, are third in Group One with 12 points, five behind leaders Denmark and one adrift of second-placed Hungary.
Malta, who suffered a 4-0 defeat to Sweden in the away match last June, are bottom of the class with one point from eight matches.
Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Mario Muscat, Andrew Hogg.
Defenders: Manny Muscat, Alex Muscat, Brian Said, Jonathan Caruana, Ian Azzopardi, Clayton Failla, Kenneth Scicluna.
Midfielders: Jamie Pace, Gilbert Agius, Kevin Sammut, Roderick Briffa, Shaun Bajada, Ryan Fenech.
Forwards: Andrew Cohen, Andrè Schembri, Michael Mifsud.