Malta plays its penultimate qualifier this evening against Latvia in the Riga stadium (kick-off 8pm).

It will be one of two final opportunities (the other is next Tuesday against Israel at Ta’ Qali) for John Buttigieg’s side to obtain a first win or at least another positive result in this difficult group.

The match has become more difficult for Malta than it obviously is already because of the withdrawal from the squad of three key players – central defender Jonathan Caruana and experienced strikers Michael Mifsud and Daniel Bogdanovic. All three are being treated for injuries.

These withdrawals have proved to be a big setback for Buttigieg’s hopes of playing the team’s normal game. In such circumstances, one expects the team to adopt a more approach than usual.

One big consolation for the coach is the return to full fitness of goalkeeper Justin Haber. It is not yet known who Buttigieg will be preferring in goal, but Andrew Hogg also had a good game in the last outing against Georgia (1-1).

Also knocking on the door for a berth in the starting line-up is Hibernians left flanker Clayton Failla who seems to be revived after a lean spell at Sliema. On the right, Valletta’s Roderick Briffa should be confirmed.

In the heart of the defence, Andrei Agius may be partnered by Gareth Sciberras in the absence of Caruana, with the midfield consisting of John Hutchinson, Ryan Fenech, Paul Fenech and Jamie Pace.

Up front, Buttigieg’s choice for a partner for Andre Schembri is expected to fall on Andrew Cohen.

The full Malta squad is the following:

Goalkeepers: Justin Haber (Kerkyra), Andrew Hogg (Valletta).

Defenders: Roderick Briffa (Valletta), Steve Borg (Valletta), Andrei Agius (Latina Calcio), Edward Herrera (Hibs), Carlo Mamo (Marsaxlokk), Clayton Failla (Hibs), Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara).

Midfielders: Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara), Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Jamie Pace (Valletta), John Hutchinson (Chengdu Blades), Ryan Fenech (Valletta), Trevor Cilia (Birkirkara).

Strikers: Andre Schembri (Panionios), Ivan Woods (Floriana), Andrew Cohen (Hibs).