MFA Technical Director Robert Gatt will be taking charge of the Malta national team until a full time coach is appointed.

In view of the forthcoming friendly home international against Liechtenstein on 29 February, Gatt has named a provisional 18-man squad to start training on 16 January.

The squad is mostly built around home-grown players with some new faces making the grade. Prior to the start of the build-up, all selected players will undergoe routine physical tests under the surveillance of physical trainer Luca Pagani. In this way their fitness level will be gauged regularly.

Training sessions will be held twice a week, every Monday and Tuesday.

The squad is made up of the following:

Goalkeepers: Andrew Hogg (Valletta), Henry Bonello (Sliema W)

Defenders: Steve Borg, Roderick Briffa, Jonathan Caruana (all VAlletta), Edward Herrera, Clayton Failla (Hibernians), Alex Muscat (Sliema W), Zach Muscat (Pieta H)

Midfielders: Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat, Shaun Bajada (all Birkirkara), Edmond Agius, Dyson Falzon, Ryan Fenech (all Valletta),Bjorn KRistensen (Hibernians)

Forwards: Michael Mifsud (Valletta), Andrew Cohen (Hibernians)