There were no major surprises in the Malta provisional squad announced by coach Ray Farrugia ahead of the UEFA Nations Cup opening matches against Faroes Islands and Azerbaijan next month.

Farrugia, the Malta coach, has named 26 players in his provisional list for the away trip to the Faroes Islands on September 7 and the home match against Azerbaijan at the National Stadium four days later.

The Malta coach has reconfirmed the majority of the players that took part in the national team’s training camp in Austria last June. Jake Grech, Juan Corbalan and Joseph Mbong, who form part of the Malta U-21 team, were again included in the list.

Farrugia is boosted by the return of Andre Schembri, Zach Muscat, Johann Bezzina and Jean Paul Farrugia who had all sat out of the Austria training camp through injury while Ryan Fenech was also included in the list.

Rowen Muscat and Roderick Briffa, who are currently recovering from injuries, were also included in the list as the Malta coach is keeping his fingers crossed they can recover in time for the UEFA Nations League double header.

Squad

Goalkeepers Henry Bonello (Valletta), Andrew Hogg (Hibernians), S. Sultana (Balzan).

Defenders: Ferdinando Apap (Victoria Hotspurs), Andrei Agius (Hibernians), Steve Borg (Valletta), Ryan Camilleri (Valletta), Clayton (Failla), Michael Johnson (Balzan), Joseph Mbong (Hibernians), Zach Muscat (Pistoiese), Joseph Zerafa (Valletta).

Midfielders: Johann Bezzina (Hibernians), Roderick Briffa (Gżira United), Juan Corbalan (Gżira United), Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Ryan Fenech (Sliema Wanderers), Jake Grech (Birkirkara), Rowen Muscat (Valletta), Steve Pisani (Floriana), Dunstan Vella (Hibernians).

Forwards: Andrew Cohen (Gżira United), Alfred Effiong (Balzan), Jean Paul Farrugia (Sliema Wanderers), Michael Mifsud (Valletta), Andre Schembri (Apollon Limassol).