The national team, now under the charge of the recently appointed Dusan Fitzel, from the Czech Republic, will be playing its first friendly match in the next few days.

Providing the opposition will be visiting Swiss first division team FC Winterthur who yesterday arrived for a 15-day training camp in Malta.

During their stay here, they have programmed three friendly matches, and although nothing is official so far, it is expected they will face the national team, the Under 21 side coached by Mark Miller and either Zebbug Rangers or Mqabba.

The three matches are scheduled for Saturday 28 January, Tuesday 31 January and Wednesday 1 February.

Winterthur are a mid-table placed team in the 18-team Swiss first division. They have 19 points from 17 matches as the campaign is at the mid-way stage.

They will be leaving Malta on 11 February.