There are four uncapped players in Pietro Ghedin’s national 20-man squad for the friendly match against Azerbaijan in Baku next Wednesday.

They are goalkeeper Nicholas Vella of Tarxien Rainbows and the defensive trio of Sliema W. – Jacob Borg, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Mark Scerri.

Another Sliema Wanderers player included in the squad , striker John Mintoff, has only one cap so far.

Otherwise, Ghedin’s squad includes no surprises although the Italian coach dropped three of his original 23-man squad which he had announced last Monday. These were goalkeeper Glenn Zammit, defender Justin Grioli and striker Terence Vella.

Missing the trip are the established central defenders Luke Dimech and Jonathan Caruana of Valletta and another experienced defender, Alex Muscat of Sliema.

“Foreign’  players Andrei Agius and Andre Schembri have been called by Ghedin, the same as top striker Michael Mifsud, even if the latter is still without a club.

The players making the trip are:

Goalkeepers: Henry Bonello (Sliema W.), Justin Haber (Birkirkara FC), Nicholas Vella (Tarxien R.).

Defenders: Andrei Agius (Sassari Torres, Italy), Jacob Borg (Sliema W.), Ryan Camilleri (Hibernians), Clayton Failla (Hibernians), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Sliema W.), Mark Scerri (Sliema W.).

Midfielders: Shawn Bajada (Valletta FC), Roderick Briffa (Valletta), Paul Fenech (Birkirkara FC), Ryan Fenech (Valletta), Edward Herrera (Birkirkara FC), Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara FC), Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara FC).

Strikers: Andrew Cohen (Hibernians), Michael Mifsud (no club), John Mintoff (Sliema W.), Andre Schembri (Omonia Nicosia).