Barbara poised for debut

Etienne Barbara is likely to make his Malta debut in Wednesday's EURO 2004 Group One qualifier against Israel.

Siegfried Held yesterday said he intends to hand the Marsa-xlokk player a defensive role for the match in Antalya, Turkey.

Barbara, 21, was called up on the back of his fine performances in the first two league games.

Michael Galea has also earned a last-minute call-up to the squad to replace the injured George Mallia. The 24-year-old Birkir-kara striker did not train with the rest of his Malta team-mates yesterday, presumably because of work commitments. He is ex-pected to resume training this morning and the indications are that he will make the 17-man list.

Absent from yesterday's training session were Malcolm Licari and David Camilleri, both of Marsaxlokk, who are rated doubtful for Wednesday's qualifier.

Sliema skipper Noel Turner suffered a neck injury earlier this week but he expects to be fit to play on Wednesday.

The Air Malta flight to Antalya tomorrow will carry three national squads as, apart from the senior and the U-21 groups, the U-19s are playing a friendly against Turkey U-18 on Monday.

A surprise in the squad named by Mark Miller is the omission of former Pietà goalie Andrew Hogg, who recently joined Bari's youth side on a one-year loan deal.

Goalkeepers - M. Farrugia (Sliema), B. Paris (Birkirkara).

Defenders - S. Borda (Hibs), G. Ghigo (Zurrieq), C. Sammut, J.P. Scerri (both Pietà), K. Spiteri (Hibs), J. Vella (Hibs), J. Zammit (Sliema).

Midfielders - M. Abdilla (Pietà), M. Bartolo (Hibs), T. Caruana (St Patrick), C. Frendo (Pietà), P. Fenech (Naxxar), A. Schembri (Hibs), R. Vella (Mellieha), R. Zammit (Pietà).

Forwards - R. Deguara (Mosta), C. Failla (St Patrick), D. Falzon (Mosta).