Already without long-term injury victims Cleaven Frendo and Stefan Giglio, Valletta will have three other first-choice players missing for Monday's Premier League clash with Sliema Wanderers.

Goalkeeper Andrew Hogg is facing two weeks on the sidelines after wounding his right knee during the Citizens' 2-1 victory over leaders Hibernians earlier this week. The resources at the disposal of coach Paul Zammit have been further depleted by the one-match suspension imposed on Roderick Briffa and Luke Dimech yesterday.

Briffa's late red card in Monday's top-of-the-table clash triggered an automatic one-match ban while Dimech has been punished after collecting his fourth yellow card.

Hibs coach Mark Miller also has his fair share of selection worries for Sunday's match against Marsaxlokk. Wing-back Clayton Failla received a one-match suspension yesterday for four yellow cards while Adrian Pulis and Aaron Xuereb are still injured.

Valletta's 2-1 victory over Hibs has infused fresh interest into this season's title race as three points separate the two title challengers with five matches remaining.

Fourth-placed Sliema Wanderers had one player on the suspensions' list, defender Jeffrey Chetcuti.

Of the four teams engaged in a tight battle to escape relegation, only Tarxien Rainbows have been affected by the latest sanctions.

Brazilian defender Everson Alan da Lima and midfielder Ramon Schembri will miss their team's crunch duel with Ħamrun Spartans on Saturday after both were handed a one-match ban.