Different Malta role for Mifsud

Coventry City fans favourite Michael Mifsud is looking to take his recent club form onto the international stage this week as Malta face Euro 2008 qualifiers away in Moldova and at home to Greece.

Set to win his 46th cap on Saturday, Mifsud occupies a role between the midfield and a lone striker for his country.

'I don't mind playing behind the main striker,' he told The Times of Malta.

'I prefer up front but with the national team I have a free role which suits my qualities.

'This position gives me a better chance of running at defenders.'

Players are often found making critical comments about their clubs and English football when they return home for international duty but Mifsud is the complete opposite.

He said: 'I had to wait to get my chance under Iain Dowie but even when I wasn't playing regularly, I still felt part of the team.

'This was mostly down to the support I received from my team-mates.

'Dowie is a very good manager.

'He pays great attention to detail and is very dedicated. His enthusiasm for the game has made a big impression on the players, myself included.

'He turns up for work early in the morning. I'm enjoying working with him so much that I'm always first for training.'

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