National coach Pietro Ghedin included Balzan defender Jacob Borg and Hamrun Spartans striker Terence Vella in the national squad ahead of next Tuesday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Italy at Ta’ Qali.
On the other hand, Daniel Bogdanovic was dropped from the squad after sustaining an injury in training.
The nineteen players at the disposal of Pietro Ghedin are therefore:
goalkeepers Justin Haber (Birkirkara), Andrew Hogg (Enosis Neon Paralimini);
defenders Andrei Agius (Latina – ITA), Jacob Borg (Balzan), Ryan Camilleri (Hibs), Jonathan Caruana (Valletta), Luke Dimech (Valletta), Clayton Failla (Hibs), Alex Muscat (Sliema);
midfielders Roderick Briffa (Valletta), Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Ryan Fenech (Valletta), Edward Herrera (Birkirkara), Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara), Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara);
forwards Andrew Cohen (Hibs), Michael Mifsud (Valletta), Andre Schembri (Omonia Nicosia), Terence Vella (Hamrun).
Meanwhile Italian coach Cesare Prandelli called up Under-21 international midfielder Alessandro Florenzi of Roma.
Defender Giorgio Chiellini will be unable to make the trip but Claudio Marchisio who missed the friendly match against Brazil is expected to make it.
Roma duo Daniele De Rossi and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo are ruled out through suspension.
The squad is made up of:
goalkeepers Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (PSG);
defenders Ignazio Abate (Milan), Luca Antonelli (Genoa), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter);
midfielders Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Andrea Poli (Sampdoria);
forwards Mario Balotelli (Milan), Stephan El Shaarawy (Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Bologna), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus).
Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar