Coach Ray Farrugia will be making use of five fresh players after the Spain disastrous match for this evening's final qualifier against Norway at Ta' Qali Stadium (Kick off 8.45pm).

The national coach said the team needed fresh legs for another difficult encounter, but he made no mention of the players who will be roped in for tonight's clash.

Farrugia once again said how disappointed he and the players were after the match against Spain. "The result is what it is and we cannot certainly be happy about it. We played against a world class team which made it very difficult for us all the way," he added.

Farrugia said that against Norway, he expected another difficult match although he is convinced that his players will put Friday's nightmarish match behind them and produce their best this evening.

After Friday's match, I can say the morale of the players has improved. "I have told them that we all have to forget about that match and we must all look forward.

"Norway will be a little different as we will be playing at home. And I believe that we can provide them with good resistance as we did in the away match in Solna where we had lost 0-2 with goals that could have been avoided," he said.

It was here that the coach said that he will ring in the changes, making use of five players who were in the substitutes' bench on Friday night. Three of them will be attack minded, but we will also be able to make use of defender Steve Borg who will be returning from suspension," he added.

Also returning to the squad is Ferdinando Apap of Hibernians, who is expected to be one of the five players with "fresh legs". He will be replacing the injured Juan Carlos Corbalan in the squad.

Farrugia was yesterday asked what he will do after this evening's match which is the last qualifier before his term ends in December. "Well, my contract ends next month and I honestly do not know what will happen."

And asked what he believes is the future of Maltese football, Farrugia was clear. "Since I took over 18 months ago, I always said that it is the youngsters who are the future of Maltese football. Since I was engaged as national coach, I have introduced 11 youngsters and I am very proud to have taken what I describe as a 'nice risk'.

"I have always believed that this is the way forward. These youngsters have a bright future and I am convinced that in two years' time, they will be the backbone of the national team.

"Of course, they are still young and have to learn much more, but it is obvious from what we have already seen, that they are gaining valuable experience," he said.

He finally said: "If I am not here after next month, I am sure that the one to take over after me will have a good basis for a better future and will reap the 'fruit' of what I have started."

Also addressing the press yesterday was one of the youngsters, Hibs midfielder Dunstan Vella, who has now played 7 times for Malta.

He said the atmosphere in the dressing room was not so nice after the disastrous match against Spain. "But we have to look forward and continue working hard to obtain the best results possible.

"This evening's match against Norway is a chance for all of us to remedy a difficult situation and we will be doing our best to emerge with heads held high," he said.

Norway beat Faroe Islands 4-0 at home on Friday but are out of contention for second place in Group F following Sweden's 2-0 win away to Romania.

With 18 points from nine matches, Sweden have now secured qualification to the EURO 2020 final tournament as Group F runners-up. Spain, who have 23 points, have won the group.

Norway and Romania are level on 14 points with Faroe Islands and Malta on three points.

Malta squad

GOALKEEPERS: Henry Bonello (Valletta); Justin Haber (Gżira United); Rashed Al-Tumi (Casarano Calcio, Italy).

DEFENDERS: Andrei Agius, Ferdinando Apap, Joseph Mbong (all Hibernians); Steve Borg, Jonathan Caruana, Joseph Zerafa (all Valletta); Karl Micallef (Ħamrun Spartans); Zach Muscat (SC Olhanense, Portugal); Jurgen Pisani (Floriana).

MIDFIELDERS: Triston Caruana (Ħamrun Spartans); Paul Fenech (Balzan); Jake Grech, Dunstan Vella (both Hibernians); Nikolai Muscat (Gżira United); Rowen Muscat (Valletta); Brandon Paiber (Floriana).

FORWARDS: Alfred Effiong (Balzan); Luke Gambin (Colchester United, England); Michael Mifsud (Birkirkara); Kyrian Nwoko (Valletta).