By the time Malta kick off their preparations for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in March, two new players, possibly more, could be eligible to represent our country as Njongo Priso, Valletta’s Cameroon-born winger, and Luke Gambin, who is on the books of English League Two club Barnet, are widely expected to obtain a Maltese passport in the coming months.

As reported by Times of Malta in May, Priso had indicated his readiness to apply for a Maltese passport as the 26-year-old has been married to a Maltese for around five years.

Priso, who rejoined Valletta last summer after spells in Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, had hoped to get hold of his Maltese passport before the national team’s Euro 2016 qualifiers against Italy and Azerbaijan last month but the process is taking longer than expected.

However, both the Malta FA and Valletta are hopeful that Priso will secure his Maltese passport over the next four months, meaning that, if the new timeframe is correct, the winger would be available for selection to the national squad before a friendly in March.

Based in England, Gambin has never lived or played in Malta but has expressed his desire to turn out for the country of his ancestors after MFA officials reportedly stumbled upon his name during a visit to the UK earlier this year.

Gambin’s chances of making the Malta squad received a boost in June when the 22-year-old left a good impression on national coach Pietro Ghedin during a five-day trial.

His performances at the Ta’ Qali training grounds set the wheels in motion for his passport application as Gambin’s grandfather was Maltese.

Sources have told Times of Malta that, if things go according to plan, Gambin should be granted Maltese citizenship within weeks.

It’s a known fact that the MFA Technical Centre, led by Robert Gatt, have been on the look-out for players who could qualify to represent Malta through their parents or grandparents as well as others who, like Priso, meet the criteria to obtain a Maltese passport on the grounds that they have been married to a Maltese for a period of five years.

Nigeria-born forward Alfred Effiong has already played eight times for Malta, scoring two goals, since being granted Maltese citizenship in February.

Earlier this month, defender Sam Magri made his debut for the Malta Under-21 team after securing his Maltese passport in August.

Magri, who has figured for England at youth level, joined Dover Athletic, who play in England’s Conference League, last summer but Times of Malta understands that a host of top local clubs are chasing his signature.

Joe Muscat, who is registered with the academy of English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, is another young player who is being closely tracked by the MFA.

Muscatt, who turns 18 in December and plays on the left, had a training experience with the Malta Under-19 squad in September.

The indications are that Muscatt lived up to expectations during his training stint and the MFA technical centre are currently weighing up the possibility of initiating his application for a Maltese passport.

Two-year agreement

Myles Beerman’s scholarship cap.

Meanwhile, Myles Beerman’s prospects of forging a professional career in England look very bright after the Maltese starlet was awarded a scholarship by Manchester City.

A scholarship is a two-year agreement between the club and the academy player which provides a full-time football development and education programme.

Beerman, 16, has long been acclaimed as one of the country’s brightest prospects and his performances in last year’s UEFA Under-17 Championship further enhanced his burgeoning reputation. News that Beerman has been retained by Manchester City, who have one of the best youth set-ups in English football, further attests to the young winger’s potential.

A foot injury has limited Beerman’s appearances this season and, although he is now nearing the end of his rehabilitation, the winger has been ruled out of the Malta U-19s’ upcoming qualifiers against Iceland, Israel and Denmark, being played here next month.

It is believed that Beerman, who is attracting the interest of several clubs in England and abroad, has obtained a British passport but sources close to the player told Times of Malta that his heart is still set on representing Malta at senior level.

St Andrew’s get defender

St Andrew’s have completed the signing of a centre-half in a bid to strengthen their defence.

Eloy Edu Nkene, a 30-year-old defender from Equatorial Guinea, has joined the BOV Premier League strugglers as a replacement for Italian Nicola Andreis who has been released.

Nkene, who has been registered as an amateur player, is expected to make his debut for St Andrew’s in tomorrow’s basement clash with Naxxar Lions.