Malta will be playing a friendly match against Albania in Tirana this evening (kick-off 8.45pm).

It is a match which quickly follows last week’s training camp in Slovakia where the team played a friendly against local side Senec, winning comfortably by four goals to nil.

This evening’s encounter is another test for Dusan Fitzel’s team as it prepares itself for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifier against Turkey at Ta’ Qali on 8 September.

Last season, the team played some successful matches but this evening, there will be no Michael Mifsud, no Luke Dimech, no Andre Schembri and not even Daniel Bogdanovic.

The first three are playing abroad for their clubs and did not attend the training camp while Bogdanovic was injured during a recent trial in Italy and is ruled out.

For those taking their places today, it is another important test as they try to make an impact in the side to try and win a place in the starting line-up in the near future.

The national team squad in Albania consists of the following players:

Goalkeepers: Omar Borg, Mario Muscat, Andrew Hogg.

Defenders: Brian Said, Steve Wellman, Aaron Xuereb, Ian Azzopardi, Roderick Briffa, Kenneth Scicluna, Josef Mifsud.

Midfielders: Gilbert Agius, George Mallia, Jamie Pace, Roderick Bajada, Peter Pullicino, Cleavon Frendo.

Strikers: Ivan Woods, Andrew Cohen, Terence Scerri, Etienne Barbara.

Given the players he has available at his disposal I would expect Fitzel to start with the following formation this evening:

M. Muscat, R. Briffa, B. Said, S. Wellman, K. Scicluna (I. Azzopardi); I. Woods, G. Agius, G. Mallia, J. Pace, A. Cohen, T. Scerri.

The two coaches are expected to make at least five substitutions throughout the match.