Malta U21 Team head coach Silvio Vella on Tuesday afternoon announced his 23-man squad for the home double fixture against Northern Ireland on Friday and Romania a week on Tuesday at the Centenary Stadium.
Both games valid from UEFA European U21 Championship 2021, Group 8 Qualifiers.
A total of six newcomers in this significantly changed squad with goalkeeper Duncan Formosa, defenders Carlo Zammit Lonardelli and Matthew Ellul, midfielders Adam Magri Overend and Alex Satariano, together with Mosta forward Andrei Spiteri, all new faces in an U21 official squad.
Andreas Vella, Jean Borg, Matthew Guillaumier, Shaun Dimech and Paul Mbong are still eligible for this U-21 team but their progress and swift development rewarded them with a senior team call-up for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.
Meanwhile, Hibernians winger Myles Beerman who has initially been also called with the senior squad has returned to Under21 duties for this home debut for the boys in this competition, ensuing four away matches all played at the latter stages of 2019, also earning a merited point in a goalless draw in Antrim this time last year against Northern Ireland.
Malta host Northern Ireland this Friday before facing Romania on Tuesday next week, both matches starting at 6pm at the Centenary Stadium, and contested behind closed doors.
Malta U21 squad
Goalkeepers: Duncan Formosa (Luxol St.Andrews), Timmy Aquilina (Sliema Wanderers), Cain Formosa (San Ġwann).
Defenders: Gary Camilleri (Balzan), Dejan Debono (Mosta), Nicholas Pulis (Valletta), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Fidelis Andria), Kurt Shaw (Sliema Wanderers), Matthew Ellul (Hibernians).
Midfielders: Zachary Karl Grech (Hibernians), Adam Magri Overend (Santa Lucia), Connor Zammit (Hibernians), Alexander Satariano (Sliema Wanderers), Neil Frendo (Balzan), Jamie Zerafa (Santa Lucia), David Xuereb (Hibernians), Ayrton Attard (Hibernians).
Forwards: Jan Busuttil (Floriana), Myles Beerman (Hibernians), Aidan Jake Friggieri (Gudja United), Nevin Portelli (Gżira United), Andrei Spiteri (Mosta), Zachary Brincat (Mosta).
