Malta a man down as Fitzel stays on

The "disappearance" of Daniel Bogdanovic has limited Malta's options for their games against Turkey and Armenia, providing a dampener to coach Dušan Fitzel after he earned a new deal.

Absent without leave
Prolific Marsaxlokk FC striker Bogdanovic has not been seen for several weeks and Fitzel has decided not to include him in his squad. "Daniel has disappeared," said the Czech coach. "He is somewhere abroad looking for a new club but we don't know when he will be back. For me Bogdanovic is no longer a national team player." Gareth Sciberras also misses out with a hamstring injury. Fitzel, meanwhile, has agreed to continue in his dual role as national coach and Malta Football Association technical director until the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. "I felt I still had more to offer Maltese football in general," said Fitzel, whose side lie sixth in Group C. Turkey visit Malta on Saturday while Armenia are the guests in a friendly four days later.

Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Omar Borg (Birkirkara FC), Justin Haber (Haidari FC), Andrew Hogg (Valletta FC), Mario Muscat (Hibernians FC).

Defenders: Ian Azzopardi (Sliema Wanderers FC), Luke Dimech (Macclesfield Town FC), Josef Mifsud (Valletta FC), Peter Pullicino (Marsaxlokk FC), Brian Said (Sliema Wanderers FC), Kenneth Scicluna (Valletta FC), Stephen Wellmen (Marsaxlokk FC), Aaron Xuereb (Hibernians FC).

Midfielders: Gilbert Agius (Valletta FC), Roderick Bajada (Sliema Wanderers FC), Cleavon Frendo (Marsaxlokk FC), Roderick Briffa (Sliema Wanderers FC), George Mallia (Birkirkara FC), Jamie Pace (Marsaxlokk FC), Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk FC).

Forwards: Etienne Barbara (Sliema Wanderers FC), Andrew Cohen (Hibernians FC), Michael Mifsud (Coventry City FC), Terence Scerri (Hibernians FC), Andre Schembri (Eintract Braunschweig), Ivan Woods (Sliema Wanderers FC).