Malta coach Ray Farrugia has made further changes to the squad ahead of the training camp in Austria after a number of established players were ruled out with injuries.

Apollon Limassol forward Andrè Schembri, Hibs midfield duo Bjorn Kristensen and Johann Bezzina, FC Chiasso forward Jean Paul Farrugia, and Birkirkara’s Cain Attard will miss the trip to Austria and the friendly matches against Armenia in Wattens on Tuesday and Georgia in Schwaz on Friday due to injuries.

They joined Arezzo defender Zach Muscat and Daniel Zerafa, the Ħamrun Spartans centre-half, on the sidelines.

Having announced a provisional squad of 26 players earlier this month, Farrugia and his assistant Branko Nisevic have promoted another two players from the Malta Under-21 squad, striker Jurgen Degabriele and midfielder Dunstan Vella, both of Hibernians.

The addition of Degabriele and Vella takes the number of U-21 players in the senior squad to six, joining Birkirkara midfielder Jake Grech, Hibs wing-back Joseph Mbong, Valletta striker Kyrian Nwoko and Myles Beerman, the young flank player who is on the books of Scottish club Rangers.

Farrugia will finalise his squad selection on Friday ahead of the team’s departure to Austria on Saturday afternoon.

The training camp in Austria and the warm-up games against Armenia and Georgia are part of Malta’s preparations for the inaugural UEFA Nations League.

Training began on May 15 with two sessions held on selected days based on a detailed programme prepared by Farrugia and his coaching team, Nisevic, technical assistant Ronald Vella, goalkeepers’ coach Charles Sciberras and physical trainer Luca Pagani