St. Andrews player Jacob Walker and Michele Sansone, of Sliema Wanderers, have been included in the Malta Under-21 squad for the UEFA U-21 Championship Group Six qualifier against Turkey at the Centenary Stadium on Friday, kick-off at 15:00.

Walker has replaced Birkirkara midfielder Matthew Guillaumier who was forced to withdraw from the squad after suffering an injury during the BOV Premier League match against Balzan on Saturday.

Malta U-21 coach Silvio Vella has also awarded a late call-up to Sansone as a replacement for Myles Beerman who on Monday was dropped from both the Malta senior and Under-21 squads for disciplinary reasons. Beerman, who plays for Glasgow Rangers, has sent a letter of apology to Malta FA Technical Director Robert Gatt.

The match against Turkey is the first home outing for the Malta U-21 side in the 2019 UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign as the opening four matches, which have all resulted in defeats, were away.

In their last match, played on October 10, Malta went down 3-0 to the strong Sweden team in Helsingborg.

For their part, Turkey have two points from three matches so far. In their last outing, Turkey were held to a goalless home draw by Hungary.

Malta Under-21 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 Jacob Walker (St Andrews); Dexter Xuereb (Mosta); James Brincat (Tarxien Rainbows); Jake Grech (Birkirkara); Michele Sansone (Sliema Wanderers); Zachary Scerri (Gżira United); Juan Corbalan (Gżira United).
forwards Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians); Joseph Mbong (Hibernians); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta); Zachary Brincat (Mosta).