'Suspended' Barbara summoned to train with national squad

Etienne Barbara's sprightly early-season form has increased his prospects of earning a call-up to the Malta squad for the EURO 2004 qualifier against Israel on September 10.

Malta coach Sigfried Held has summoned Barbara to start training with the members of the national squad as from today after watching his man-of-the-match performance in Sunday's Premier League game between Marsaxlokk and Birkirkara, won by the latter 3-2.

"I have just been informed by MFA official Ivan Vella that Mr Held wants me to report for training with the national squad tomorrow morning," Barbara told The Times yesterday evening.

"I am very happy to have been given this opportunity to join the senior squad, especially after my lengthy absence from the Malta U-21 group. I have been working hard to improve at my club and my performances so far seem to have vindicated my efforts.

"Being an established member of the senior squad is one of my chief targets and I am determined to do my best to prove myself at international level," Barbara added.

Barbara has been one of Marsaxlokk's most influential players in their opening two matches in which he was deployed in an advanced position.

Held's decision to call the 21-year-old Barbara for training with the national team only eight days before the match against Israel in the Turkish resort city of Antalya indicates that the former Floriana player is being considered for selection for Malta's final EURO 2004 qualifier.

Although Barbara's powerful performances of late would justify a probable call-up to the Maltese squad, Held's decision is likely to have been met with a few raised eyebrows in view of the player's suspension from the Malta U-21 squad.

Barbara was a key player for the Malta U-21 team but was suspended indefinitely by coach Mark Miller for lack of discipline last April.

At the time, Miller had told The Times: "The player has been warned. The Malta FA even arranged for him to train full time at Ta' Qali on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but he spurned the chance. Barbara has been sent back to work and has been advised to train with his club."

Now it seems that Held has seen enough improvement from Barbara to conclude that he deserves to return to the national teams' fold.