Defender Kevin Cannavò has received his first call up to the Malta national team, with coach Emilio De Leo naming the Italy based player in a provisional 34 man squad for two international friendlies at the start of June.
Cannavò, who plays his club football with Cosenza Calcio in Italy, is regarded as one for the future, and his inclusion reflects the coaching staff’s ongoing efforts to track and bring through Maltese talent playing abroad.
Malta will face Slovakia on 1 June at the DAC Arena in Dunajska Streda, before taking on Azerbaijan four days later on 5 June at the Haladas Sportkomplexum in Szombathely, Hungary. Both matches will give De Leo the opportunity to continue assessing his squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign.
Cannavò is not the only player earning a first senior call up. Tarxien Rainbows forward Luke Borg has been rewarded for a consistent and impressive season, while Zabbar St Patrick’s Nicholas Agius also comes in after a solid campaign.
Among those returning to the squad are Mosta’s Jake Vassallo, Zabbar St Patrick’s Kean Scicluna and Ħamrun Spartans midfielder Matias Garcia, all of whom missed the last international window.
The one notable absentee is experienced wing back Ryan Camenzuli, who misses out through injury.
