Two young, England-based forwards could debut for Malta’s national team next month.

18-year-old Joshua Pitts and 16-year-old Gunner Elliott have both been named in Malta coach Emilo De Leo’s 35-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification games against Lithuania and the Netherlands.

Pitts, a former Southampton youth player, signed a professional contract with Ipswich Town earlier this year.

Elliott plays for Chesterfield FC and last year became the youngest player to debut for the League Two side since 1936.

Both players have previously featured for Malta at U18 and U17 level.

This is the full 35-man squad, which will have to be trimmed down before the games.

Goalkeepers: Rashed Al Tumi (FC Sheriff Tiraspol – MDA), Henry Bonello (Ħamrun  Spartans FC), James Sissons (Melita FC), Matthias Debono (Naxxar Lions FC).

Defenders: Zach Muscat (Sanliurfaspor – TUR), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana FC), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk FC), James Lee Carragher (Wigan Athletic FC – ENG), Steve Borg (Ħamrun  Spartans FC), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians FC), Enrico Pepe (Gżira United FC), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Neil Micallef (Birkirkara FC), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers FC).

Midfielders: Matthew Guillaumier (FKS Stal Mielec Spolka Akcyjna – POL), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta FC), Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians FC), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara FC), Jake Azzopardi (Valletta FC), Dunstan Vella (Floriana FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims FC – FRA), Jake Grech (Floriana FC), Steven Pisani (Sliema Wanderers FC).

Forwards: Joseph E. Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC), Jodi Jones (Notts County FC – ENG), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC), Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians FC), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading U21 – ENG), Kemar Reid (Birkirkara FC), Kyrian Nwoko (Sliema Wanderers FC), Joshua Pitts (Ipswich Town – ENG), Elliott Gunner (Chesterfield FC – ENG)