Michael Mifsud is set for an early chance to underline his value at Coventry City as reports from England yesterday claimed that the Maltese striker will return to the Sky Blues' attack for tonight's League Cup match against Aldershot Town.
Manager Chris Coleman left Mifsud out of his 16-man squad for Coventry's 2-0 home win over Norwich City in their 2008-09 opening league match on Saturday. However, with no fewer than four forwards struck down by injuries, the former Fulham boss has reportedly decided to recall Mifsud.
Mifsud is likely to play on the left with Robbie Simpson on the right of a four-man attack that will also include summer recruits Clinton Morrison and Freddy Eastwood.
Mifsud's future at Coventry has been the subject of endless conjecture in recent weeks after his much-publicised £1.5m move to Bristol City broke down at the last minute.
News that Mifsud's transfer had fallen through drew an angry reaction from Coleman who went on to declare that the Maltese forward no longer featured in his plans for this season. Coleman claimed Mifsud had expressed a desire to leave, although this remains unproven.
"It's difficult for a manager to pick a player if he doesn't want to play," Coleman was quoted as saying.
For his part, Mifsud has not uttered a word about the reasons that led to the collapse of his transfer to Bristol City despite the criticism he has had to endure.
Last week, Coleman appeared to soften his stance on Mifsud when he told BBC: "If he (Mifsud) wants to roll his sleeves up and do his best, I won't hold a grudge."
Undeterred by his exclusion from the Coventry squad for last weekend's opener against Norwich, Mifsud turned up at the Ricoh Arena to show his support for his team-mates.
Sources in the UK told The Times that most of the fans showed no ill-feeling towards the Maltese striker despite the tide of negative publicity surrounding the possible move to Bristol City.
The Coventry fans have fond memories of Mifsud's scoring exploits last season, especially his cup heroics in victories over Manchester United (League Cup) and Blackburn Rovers (FA Cup).
Meanwhile, Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber is set to travel to Belgium with Sheffield United's reserves squad ahead of a friendly match against White Star Woluwe on Thursday.
Haber, 27, has yet to make his competitive debut for the Blades' first team since joining the Championship club on a two-year deal.
League Cup - first round
Bournemouth vs Cardiff 1-2; Brighton vs Barnet 4-0; Bristol City vs Peterborough 2-1; Bury vs Burnley 0-2; Charlton vs Yeovil 0-1; Chester vs Leeds 2-5; Crewe vs Barnsley 2-0; C. Palace vs Hereford 2-1; Dagenham vs Reading 1-2; Derby vs Lincoln 3-1 aet; Exeter vs Southampton 1-3; Gillingham vs Colchester 0-1; Grimsby vs Tranmere 2-0; Hartlepool vs Scunthorpe 3-0; Huddersfield vs Bradford 4-0; Ipswich vs L. Orient 4-1; Leicester vs Stockport 1-0; Luton vs Plymouth 2-0; Macclesfield vs Blackpool 2-0; Millwall vs Northampton 0-1; MK Dons vs Norwich 1-0; N. County vs Doncaster 1-0 aet; Preston vs Chesterfield 2-0; Rochdale vs Oldham 0-0 (1-4 pens); Sheffield Wed. vs Rotherham 2-2 (3-5 pens); Shrewsbury vs Carlisle 0-1; Southend vs Cheltenham 0-1 aet; Swansea vs Brentford 2-0; Swindon vs QPR 2-3; Walsall vs Darlington 1-2; Watford vs Bristol Rovers 1-0; Wolves vs Accrington 3-2 aet.