Upbeat Spartans receive Zammit boost

Spirits are high at Ħamrun Spartans after a 3-0 victory over Sliema Wanderers last week revived their Championship Pool hopes.

News that Valletta striker Ian Zammit has joined the Spartans on loan until the end of the season is an added tonic for Stephen D'Amato and his troops ahead of this evening's second round meeting with struggling neighbours Msida St Joseph at the Tedesco Stadium.

Zammit's loan switch to Ħamrun had been in the air for some time but the deal was only confirmed yesterday. In a statement, Valletta FC stressed that they had done their utmost to persuade Zammit to stay but agreed to loan him to Ħamrun after the player reaffirmed his determination to move in search of regular first-team football.

The former Malta U-21 striker, who is back to full fitness after recovering from a knee injury, is expected to be included in the Spartans' squad for this evening's match.

"Ian Zammit is a good player and I believe he could be an asset for us," D'Amato, the Spartans' coach, said. "His arrival certainly increases our attacking options."

D'Amato is not expected to make drastic changes from the team that impressed in last week's 3-0 dismissal of Sliema. But, a hamstring injury to midfielder Jonathan Holland, who is expected to be out for six weeks, means that D'Amato can't pick the same line-up.

Rupert Mangion is expected to fill the void left by Holland's absence after the Ħamrun captain recovered from a fractured rib.

Left-back Neville Galea hopes to earn a first-team recall after regaining his fitness but Aaron Attard is out with a hip injury.

"This is a very important match for us," D'Amato said. "We must win to extend our positive run and to stay in the hunt for a Championship Pool place."

Second from bottom with eight points from 14 matches, Msida St Joseph are out of contention for a top-six finish as they trail the eighth-placed Spartans by nine points. On recent evidence, Msida face a struggle to keep their Premier League status, especially if they slip further behind the teams in front of them by the end of the first phase.

"We're out of the race for the Championship Pool and we need to get more points on board to improve our chances of avoiding relegation," Keith Gouder, Msida's young coach, said.

Tyrone Farrugia and Cedric Sciberras are available for Msida after suspension kept them out of the 3-1 defeat to Tarxien Rainbows last Sunday. Adam Spiteri is also set for a recall after completing his recovery from injury but Roderick Baldacchino has been unwell this week and is ranked as doubtful.

Gouder can no longer bank on Stefano Grima after the flank defender joined Floriana while Costa Rican forward Wendell Gabriels is set to be released. Gabriels is expected to be replaced by Kalenga Ndayi who had a spell in Gozitan football.

First round - Ħamrun vs Msida 1-0.

Programme

Today: Tedesco Stadium - 7.30 p.m. Ħamrun vs Msida SJ.

Tomorrow: National Stadium - 3 p.m. Hibernians vs Valletta.

Sunday: Hibs Stadium - 2 p.m. Qormi vs Tarxien; 4 p.m. Sliema Wanderers vs Dingli.

Monday: National Stadium - 7.30 p.m. Floriana vs Birkirkara.