Malta coach John Buttigieg has handed Daniel Bogdanovic a recall for tomorrow’s Euro 2012 Group F qualifier against Georgia at the National Stadium.
Bogdanovic had been left out of Malta’s final squad for Friday’s 3-1 defeat to Croatia after making a whistle-stop visit to England to finalise his move to Blackpool from Sheffield United before the transfer deadline on Wednesday night.
Buttigieg cited Bogdanovic’s absence from the team’s training sessions as the reason behind his omission from the squad but the Malta coach left the door open for the new Blackpool signing to return for the Georgia match.
The 31-year-old striker reported back for training on Saturday morning and Buttigieg duly named him in the 20-man squad for tomorrow’s qualifier.
Buttigieg must trim his squad to 18 players ahead of the match but it is likely that Bogdanovic will make the final cut. Regarded as one of the most skilful Maltese players, Bogdanovic will be eager to shine in order to help the national team to a positive result and show his new employers that they have made the right decision to sign him.
Making way for Bogdanovic in the Malta squad is Steve Borg. The Valletta centre-half was an unused substitute against Croatia as Buttigieg wanted extra cover at the back after first-choice defender Jonathan Caruana was ruled out by illness.
Caruana’s inclusion in the 20-man squad suggests that the Valletta powerhouse will recoup his energies in time to face Georgia. Birkirkara’s Joseph Zerafa, who missed out on a place in the final squad on Friday, has also been shortlisted.
Still out of the squad is Floriana playmaker Christian Caruana who is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Malta will be looking to snap their losing streak in Group F by gaining their first point against Georgia who have nine points from eight games. On Friday, Georgia lost 1-0 at home to Latvia.
Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Reuben Gauci (Marsaxlokk), Andrew Hogg (Valletta).
Defenders: Andrei Agius (Latina), Roderick Briffa (Valletta), Jonathan Caruana (Valletta), Clayton Failla (Hibs), Carlo Mamo (Marsaxlokk), Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara), Manny Muscat (Wellington Phoenix).
Midfielders: Trevor Cilia (Birkirkara), Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Ryan Fenech (Valletta), John Hutchinson (Chengdu Blades), Jamie Pace (Valletta), Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara).
Forwards: Daniel Bogdanovic (Blackpool), Andrew Cohen (Hibs), Michael Mifsud (Valletta), Andrè Schembri (Olympiakos Volos), Ivan Woods (Floriana).