Malta Under-21 coach Silvio Vella has selected the final 18-man squad for the UEFA U-21 Championship qualifying match against Sweden in programme on Tuesday.

Vella has added Gżira United midfielder Juan Corbalan and awarded the first official call-up to Żejtun Corinthians midfielder Neil Tabone. Wing-back Myles Beerman, who plays for Glasgow Rangers, is the only foreign-based player in Vella’s squad.

The Maltese youngsters have endured a difficult start to the 2019 UEFA Championship qualifying campaign, losing their opening three Group 6 matches, all away, by an identical 2-1 scoreline.

After opening their commitments with a 2-1 defeat to Belgium in March, the Malta U-21s looked set to open their account in their next qualifiers only to concede stoppage-time goals in their games against Cyprus and Hungary last month.

After their trip to Sweden, the Malta U-21 team play their first home qualifier against Turkey at the Centenary Stadium on November 10.

On Friday, Sweden drew 1-1 away to Belgium and Cyprus beat Turkey 2-1.

MALTA U-21 FINAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jake Galea (Ħamrun Spartans); Philip Schranz (Birkirkara).
Defenders: Jean Borg (Valletta); James Baldacchino (Floriana); Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Dunstan Vella (Hibernians); Kurt Zammit (Birkirkara).
Midfielders: Myles Beerman (Glasgow Rangers); Dexter Xuereb (Mosta); Juan Corbalan (Gżira United); Jake Grech (Birkirkara); Matthew Guillaumier (Birkirkara); Zachary Scerri (Gżira United); Neil Tabone (Żejtun Corinthians).
Forwards: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians); Aidan Friggieri (St Andrews); Joseph Mbong (Hibernians); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta).