Bjorn Kristensen has been forced to withdraw from the national team’s 26-man squad after suffering a recurrence of a minor knee problem during training. 

The Hibernians midfielder, who was set to travel with the team for the upcoming matches against Moldova and Andorra, will no longer be making the trip.  Instead, Kristensen will remain in Malta to work with the physiotherapists at the national team clinic as he begins his recovery process.

His place in the squad will be taken by Floriana midfielder Matias Garcia who will step in to support the team in these crucial fixtures.

Malta plays Moldova at the Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau on Saturday at 18:00 and Andorra at the Estadi Nacional Andorra la Vella on Tuesday, kick-off at 20:45.