The chances of the men's basketball team forming part of the Maltese Olympic Committee contingent for the Cyprus GSSE next month received a boost with the news that Marko Matijevic was making steady progress in his recovery from injury.

The BUPA Luxol post was rated very doubtful for the Games after fracturing his arm during the Powerade League final series and initial medical reports said that he needed at least six weeks to make a full recovery.

On Tuesday, reporters were told that given the seriousness of Matijevic's injury, the MOC was thinking twice on sending the team to Cyprus on May 31.

However, the situation took another twist in the same evening when Matijevic was given the green light to start light training as his injury was healing fast.

In fact, the Serbian is back in Bruno Dipietrantonio's squad.

MBA secretary Frank Camilleri told The Times that Matijevic will undergo further tests this week by the MOC medical team.

If his recovery from injury is confirmed, the men's team are likely to join their women counterparts for Cyprus.

Meanwhile, one player who has been ruled of the squad is Australia-based Godfrey Gauci.

"We have been in contact with Gauci for several weeks but today I can confirm that he will not be in our team," Camilleri said.

Gymnastics deal

Informed sources told The Times last night that the international gymnastics governing body, FIG, and the GSSE 2009 technical commission have reached a compromise on competitions in Cyprus next month following a dispute over age limit.

It is understood that a deal was reached for the organisers to hold one competition in Cyprus with the winners classified according to age - juniors and seniors.