Malta will be facing Albania in Durres this evening in a friendly match in preparation for its forthcoming international commitments. Pietro Ghedin has left the six Valletta players at home after they missed the first two training sessions last week on the order of their Dutch team coach Andre Paus. It was a difficult decision for the Italian coach who will possibly be taking the opportunity to give a trial to some of the younger and more inexperienced members in his squad in Durres, even if included as substitutes.

The six City players are d fenders Steve Borg and Jonathan Caruana, midfielders Shaun Bajada, Roderick Briffa and Ryan Fenech and striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza. Caruana, Briffa and Fenech are considered as regulars in Ghedin’s line-ups. It is difficult to see who Ghedin will be including in his starting line up as replacements for the above mentioned trio, but he may opt to take a good look at Manny Muscat, returning to the squad from New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix FC after a long absence. He may take theplace of Roderick Briffa on the right flank with Alex Muscat possibly moving to the left flank. In central defence, it could be Ryan Camilleri to fill in for Caru- ana, while Andrew Cohen of Hibernians or Paul Fenech of Birkirkara should take the place of Ryan Fenech in midfield. Ghedin is only expected to announce his formation a few hours before kick-off. But his starting line-up is not expected to differ much from the following: J. Haber; M. Muscat, A. Agius, R. Camilleri, A. Muscat; E. Herrera, G. Sciberras, P. Fenech, C.Failla; M. Mifsud, A. Schembri .

The full squad at Ghedin’s disposal is the following: Goalkeepers: Justin Haber (Birkirkara), Andrew Hogg (Kalloni, Greece). Defenders: Andrei Agius (FC Aprilia, Italy), Steve Bezzina (Balzan), Ryan Camilleri (Hiber- nians), Alexander Muscat (Sliema W.), Manny Muscat (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand), Zach Muscat and Joseph Zerafa (both Birkirkara). Midfielders: Andrew  ohen, Bjorn Kristensen and Clayton Failla (all Hibernians), Paul Fenech, Edward Herrera and Gareth Sciberras (all Birkirkara), Leighton Grech (Qormi) and John Mintoff (Sliema W.). Strikers: Michael Mifsud (Mel- bourne Heart, Australia), Andre Schembri (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus), Terence Vella (Birkirkara). Making the trip to Durres is Steve Bezzina, the Balzan de- fender who has been playing well this season earning a recall to the national squad. Also included is New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix FC player Manny Muscat. Another surprise choice is flank player Leighton Grech of Qormi.