The transfer saga of Birkirkara striker Etienne Barbara (photo) is not over yet, or so it seems.

The Malta Independent is informed that the Stripes have given an ultimatum to the player in the sense that he should show more responsibility and pledge his future to the club, apart from honouring his contract which only expires at the end of this new season.

During the summer, rumours surrounded the player and a possible transfer to Sliema. This never materialised as the Wanderers’ interest in the striker gradually faded away with Blues’ coach Edward Aquilina also reported as saying that the former Floriana and Marsaxlokk striker was not in his immediate plans.

So far this new season, the player has not made an appearance for the Stripes. He has missed the Champions League clashes against Torshavn of the Faroe Islands, the two Euro Challenge Cup matches against Sliema and Hibernians and the Super Cup match against Hibernians, not to mention the friendlies.

Of course, he was suffering from an injury carried on from the end of last season and has also failed to train with the national team, being also left out of the Fitzel’s squad for the training camp in the Czech Republic as well as last Tuesday’s friendly in Bratislava against Slovakia.

At present, Barbara is still in the recovery process, but has started light training on his own. However, he is still a doubtful starter for the champions’ opening league match on Monday against Marsaxlokk.