Simon Vella, the Maltese defender currently on the books of Scottish Division Two club Airdrie United, was in line for a recall to the national squad for the friendly against a Balearic Islands selection on December 28 but club commitments are almost certain to prevent him from accepting the invitation.
Vella told The Times yesterday that he has been contacted by the Malta FA over a possible recall but since the friendly in Mallorca clashes with a league game for Airdrie, he cannot join Sigfried Held's group.
"I've spoken to MFA officials about the possibility of joining the squad for the friendly but, unfortunately we have an important league game that same day," Vella said.
"The manager and chairman at Airdrie told me that had this been a competitive or full international friendly, they would never stand in my way because they know how keen I am to get more games for Malta. But since we have a crucial league match and the manager wants to field the best team possible, they have asked me to stay."
On December 28, Airdrie are due to play Stranraer, who are second in the league. Airdrie are also pushing for promotion and have a good enough side to achieve that goal.
"Our problem so far this season has been a lack of consistency," Vella admitted.
He has not been recalled to the squad since the Rothmans International Tournament, which Malta won in February, but the lengthy absence from the team has not dented his enthusiasm to figure for Malta on a more regular basis.
"I'm gutted I cannot be available for the match because I really want to play for Malta. It was a massive honour for me to wear the national team jersey in the tournament and I am still seeking to earn a regular place in the squad," he said.
"I was delighted that the MFA called me for the game because that shows that they are still interested in me. I really hope that I will have more chances to play for Malta in future because I have yet to prove what I can really do."
Vella has been playing regularly for Airdrie this season. Although he has all but ruled himself out of contention for a place in the national squad for the December 28 friendly, he has not given up hope as yet.
"You never know. With the sort of weather we usually get in Scotland at this time of the year, the match could still be called off if there is a lot of snow. So, there is a remote chance that it could still happen," a hopeful Vella said.
Luke Dimech is also expected to miss the friendly because of club commitments.
His Irish club, Shamrock Rovers, have a Premier League match against Drogheda United on the eve of Malta's game against the Balearic Islands.
Malta-Kazakhstan at Ta' Qali in February
Kazakhstan, who were only accepted as UEFA's 52nd member this year, will be playing their first ever international friendly against Malta early next year.
The former Soviet republic are currently 111st in the FIFA world rankings, one place below fellow eastern UEFA members Azerbaijan.
The friendly against Malta, ranked 122nd, is scheduled for next February at Ta' Qali. The two national federations still have to decide on a date.
Kazakhstan are not figuring in the EURO 2004 qualifiers. They were admitted to join the European governing body of football during a UEFA congress in Stockholm on April 25.