Antonio Carlos Vieira, Floriana's new coach, faces a selection headache ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Qormi on Sunday after three key players were given a one-match ban yesterday.
Midfielders Pablo Doffo, Orosco Anonam and Marlon Briffa have been disciplined after they collected their fourth booking in Floriana's 2-1 defeat to Marsaxlokk last Saturday.
Their unavailability for Sunday's match with strugglers Qormi leaves Brazilian Vieira, whose debut as Floriana coach ended in disappointment after his team gave away a 1-0 lead to the Southerners, with a shortage of midfielders as captain Mauro Brincat is still recuperating from a knee operation.
Three other Premier League players have also been hit by one-match bans. These are Marsaxlokk midfielder Claude Mattocks, Msida forward Pedro Dos Santos Calcado and Sliema Wanderers defender Jeffrey Chetcuti.
Mattocks will have to skip the match against Hibs on Saturday, Calcado, aka Pedrinho, is ineligible to play against champions Valletta at the end of the month and Chetcuti has been ruled out of the game against Tarxien Rainbows on February 1.
Meanwhile, Msida are yet to receive a formal offer for Dos Santos Calcado despite persistent reports that the Brazilian is a target for a Spanish club. Calcado has been in terrific form this season, in the process earning a reputation as one of the most effective foreign players in the Premier League.
With 11 goals to his name, Calcado currently shares top spot in the scorers' list with Terrence Scerri, of Hibs. His crisp finishing has taken Msida to the brink of qualification for the Championship Pool but insiders have told The Times that the Saints are prepared to let Calcado go if they receive a suitable offer.
Speculation has been rife that Calcado is close to joining an unnamed Spanish club but it is believed that another foreign team has also made enquiries about the player.
Spartans meeting
The Ħamrun Spartans committee met last night to discuss Valletta's bid for Ryan Fenech.
Victor Sciriha, the Valletta FC president, said yesterday that he was still waiting for a reply from Ħamrun over his proposal to sign Fenech.
A Spartans official confirmed that Valletta's approach for Fenech was the main item of last night's meeting. The same official added that Fenech, 21, is happy at Ħamrun and has recently had positive talks with the club over a contract extension.
At Marsaxlokk, Chris Camilleri reported for his first training session with his new team on Tuesday evening after the Malta FA gave him the all-clear to change clubs.
The Gozitan winger started the season at Msida St Joseph but had a clause in his contract allowing him to move in January.
His transfer was initially blocked as Msida have a transfer prohibition at the moment but the ex-Valletta and Pietà player has now received permission to join Marsaxlokk where he re-united with coach Patrick Curmi.
Camilleri has agreed an 18-month contract with Marsaxlokk.