Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa yesterday told The Malta Independent that it was not yet exactly known how long it will take injured players Jonathan Caruana and Gilbert Agius to return to action after being stretchered off during the match on Friday night.

The coach said the calf injury to Gilbert Agius may keep the veteran player out of action for a possible five weeks, if not more.

Zerafa said it was a pity that they had to lose the player at a moment when they needed him most. In fact, Valletta had to play in 10 men for the remaining 20 minutes or so of the match as they had effected all three substitutions.

Zerafa also told this newspaper that central defender Jonathan Caruana’s head injury was, perhaps, not as serious as at first thought. The coach added: “He had five stitches inserted, but we do not yet know the real extent of the injury.”

Zerafa also said that in the case of both players, only early next week, when results of tests being made, will the club know exactly how long they will remain out of action.