Malta prepare for final test

Missing links
Held, whose contract with the Malta Football Association expires the day of the match, 10 September, is without the suspended Gilbert Agius and Saviour Darmanin for the Group 1 'away' game. Goalkeeper Darmanin incurred a one-match ban after being sent off in the 2-1 home defeat by Cyprus in June while striker Agius collected his second yellow card in the same match.

Keeper shortage
Held has selected only one goalkeeper in Mario Muscat but could promote youngster Justin Haber from the Under-21 squad on the eve of the game. Midfield player Luke Dimech misses out with a cartilage injury while veteran Joe Brincat is not involved after announcing his international retirement last week.

Rock bottom
Malta are bottom of Group 1, still without a point after seven qualifiers. France top the standings with 15 points from five matches. Slovenia are second with ten points, two more than Israel, and Cyprus have seven.

Malta squad
Muscat, Barbara, Chetcuti, Mamo, Said, Theuma, Camenzuli, Camilleri, Carabott, Giglio, Holland, Mallia, Miguel Mifsud, Turner, Bogdanovic, Licari, Adrian Mifsud, Michael Mifsud, Nwoko.