Valletta midfielder Shaun Dimech misses out on Italy trip after suffering injury

Shaun Dimech is set for a spell on the sidelines after the Valletta midfielder picked up an injury in the final training session of the national team and was forced to miss out on the trip for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy on Saturday.

Dimech was part of Michele Marcolini’s 28-man squad that was announced last week and the Valletta midfielder was expected to be part of the contingent that headed to Bari on Thursday.

However, the 22-year-old picked up a foot injury in the team’s final training session on Wednesday and from the initial tests it looks like that Dimech is set for a few weeks out.

Dimech is the latest player to pull out of the Malta squad for the Euro 2024 double header against Italy on Saturday and the home tie against Ukraine at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

In fact, earlier this week the Times of Malta had reported that Teddy Teuma, who is on the books of French Ligue 1 side Reims, and Notts County striker Jodi Jones were both ruled out of the match after picking up an injury with their respective clubs.

Dimech’s injury is also a blow for new Valletta coach Enzo Potenza who is unlikely to have the talented attacking midfielder for the team’s next Premier League match against Marsaxlokk on October 22.

The Citizens are already without former Malta international Rowen Muscat who is recovering from injury

Meanwhile, Potenza will be in charge of Valletta in his match in charge since replacing Thane Micallef as the Capital Club takes on Msida St Joseph in a friendly on Saturday.