Malta to face Poland, Slovakia in friendly matches next month

National coach Horst Heese and right-hand man Carmel Busuttil will have their first proper opportunities to try out new tactics and possibly new faces when Malta play hosts to Poland and Slovakia in friendlies next month.

The Times has learnt that the Malta FA have just concluded talks with the FAs of Poland and Slovakia over the two friendlies. The dates were not announced but it is believed the matches will be played in the same week in December.

Heese returned to coach the national team for a second time last month after his stint between 1988 and 1991. He succeeds fellow German Siegfried Held whose contract was not renewed after the EURO 2004 group qualifiers.

Busuttil has also joined the national team's coaching staff as Heese's assistant and on the promise that he will take sole charge in two years' time.

The two coaches' first move since their appointment was to name a new squad, omitting a number of players from the old guard, the likes of Darren Debono and Brian Said, and calling some new faces like Ivan Woods, Claude Mattocks and Jamie Pace. They also promoted a clutch of young players who previously formed part of the U-21 squad.

Malta have not played an official match since a 2-2 draw with Israel in their final EURO 2004 qualifier on September 10.

Malta played Slovakia four times, losing three matches and drawing the remaining one.

Poland boast a 100 per cent record against Malta having beaten our national team in all three matches played so far.