Malta call on Agius

Agius recovered
The 29-year-old will join Siegfried Held's side as they prepare for the UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 1 qualifying game on home territory after recovering from a serious groin injury sustained earlier in the season. "Agius has recovered well and makes the squad, but I cannot guarantee that he will be included from the start at this point," said Held.

Injury fears
Held has had to contend with a spate of injuries to key players and while Darren Debono, Ian Ciantar, Daniel Theuma and Jeffrey Chetcuti are named in the squad, it is possible none will be available to play. However, the German coach maintained that his side had every chance of overcoming their visitors.

'It is possible'
"It has been a long time since Malta won some points at this level, and I believe that this is possible against Cyprus," he said. "Again I stress, that if the players give a 100 per cent performance, Malta can get a good result. Cyprus will be very difficult to beat, with full professionals in their ranks, so it will not be easy."

'Utmost commitment'
Malta's most capped player, captain David Carabott, added: "We always give our utmost commitment when playing for our country, yet nothing seems to be going our way lately, and we are harshly criticised because of lack of commitment. On behalf of my fellow national team colleagues, I can tell you that we aim to put this right against Cyprus and earn the first points of our campaign."

Malta squad
Darmain, Muscat, Camenzuli, Carabott, Chetcuti, Ciantar, Debono, Dimech, Mamo, Said, Vella, Agius, Brincat, Camilleri, Giglio, Holland, Miguel Mifsud, Turner, Bogdanovic, Licari, Mallia, Adrian Mifsud, Michael Mifsud, Nwoko.