Italian Serie A side Messina are expected to visit Malta early next month and will be playing a friendly match against a Malta XI.

It is reliably understood that the match is planned to be held on Wednesday 9 November at the Ta’ Qali national stadium.

The Malta squad will not be the national team squad, but could be selected by Maltese football followers who will be asked to nominate players for the Malta side.

It is not known who the coach leading the Malta side will be, but rumours are rife that the job might be offered to Horst Heese’s assistant national coach Mark Miller.

It is to be remembered that Messina Calcio earlier this year opened a branch of their football school in Malta.