A depleted Hibernians will not be taking part in their own pre-season Carlsberg tournament later this month.

A club official said yesterday that national team players Mario Muscat, Andrew Cohen, Aaron Xuereb and Terence Scerri will be with the national team on their training camp abroad while E. Agius and C. Failla will be with the Under 21 squad. Moreover, they have three other players – J. Caruana, J. Pearson and J. Vella – all injured. The national team will be abroad between 11 and 23 August.

Such a number of players from the senior squad absent made their participation this season impossible. It is the first time that Hibs will not be taking part in the event.

Sliema Wanderers, Birkirkara, Msida SJ and Pieta H. are expected to take part in this year’s tournament which has become a most useful pre-season tournament for the participating clubs.

Matches will be played on 13, 15 and 17 August.