Malta have announced a 30-man squad for the October international window, which includes a World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands and a friendly match with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The national side will take on the Netherlands at the National Stadium on Thursday, 9 October, with kick-off at 20:45. The Dutch are level with Poland on ten points at the top of Group G and still have a match in hand. Three days later, Malta will play Bosnia and Herzegovina at the same venue, with that fixture scheduled for Sunday, 12 October at 19:00.
Malta will be without two important players against the Netherlands. Defender Zach Muscat, who plays for Chaves in Portugal, and FK Čukarički forward Paul Mbong are both suspended for the qualifier. They will, however, return for the Bosnia and Herzegovina match.
There will also be an emotional farewell for veteran defender Steve Borg. The Valletta FC player has been included in the squad but is available only for the Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly, which will mark his final international appearance after a long and distinguished career with Malta.
The squad sees the return of two key figures. Stade de Reims midfielder Teddy Teuma has been recalled following his recovery from injury, while Ħamrun Spartans FC wing back Ryan Camenzuli is back after missing the September matches.
Midfielder Andrew Borg of Gżira United has been rewarded for his strong club form with a first call-up under the current set-up, although he has featured in earlier squads.
Wigan Athletic defender James Carragher remains absent as he continues to recover from surgery.
Malta come into the October fixtures looking to build momentum, having drawn 1-1 away to Lithuania in their last World Cup qualifier before securing a 3-1 win over San Marino in a friendly during September.
Full Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Rashed Al Tumi (Sliema Wanderers FC), James Sissons (Chesterfield FC – ENG).
Defenders: Zach Muscat (Chaves FC – POR), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk FC), Kurt Shaw (Sorrento FC – ITA), Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk FC), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Steve Borg (Valletta FC), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United FC), Kean Scicluna (Zabbar St Patrick FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers FC), Neil Micallef (Birkirkara FC).
Midfielders: Matthew Guillaumier (Panserraikos FC – GRE), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta FC), Alexander Satariano (Athens Kallithea FC – GRE), Steve Pisani (Sliema Wanderers FC), Yannick Yankam (Valletta FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims FC – FRA), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC), Andrew Borg (Gżira United FC)
Forwards: Joseph E. Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Jodi Jones (Notts County FC – ENG), Paul Mbong (FK Čukarički – SRB), Ilyas Chouaref (Sion FC – SUI), Irvin Cardona (AS Saint-Étienne – FRA), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading FC – ENG), Keyon Ewurum (Valletta FC), Kemar Reid (Birkirkara FC).
