Hawks defender Sam Magri putting club before country during international break

Instead, the defender has put his club before country - and Hawks are delighted he did!

The 26-year-old centre half was recently asked about his availability for the Maltese squad ahead of this month’s international games.

He turned down the chance, though, in order to carry on playing for Paul Doswell’s side in National League South and FA Cup action.

Had he been named in the Maltese squad, Magri would have missed last Sunday’s FA Cup win against Cray and three league games.

He would also have been absent from Wednesday’s 3-1 home victory over Dulwich Hamlet - where he netted Hawks’ equaliser - as well as this Saturday’s home game with Oxford City and next Tuesday’s trip to Bath City.

While Magri was scoring against Dulwich, Malta were beating Liechtenstein 3-0 in a friendly the same evening.

Malta have UEFA Nations League games at home to Andorra this Saturday and the Faroe Islands next Tuesday.

Magri possesses an interesting international career.

He played for England at under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-19 level - alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling - before Malta showed an interest due to the player having a Maltese grandfather.

Magri made his Maltese under-21 debut in 2015 and a year later made his senior international debut in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

He is one of three Hawks players to have appeared in all eight of the club’s league and FA Cup ties in 2020/21, alongside goalkeeper Ross Worner and striker Joe Iaciofano.

Hawks boss Paul Doswell has used Magri alongside Moussa Diarra at the heart of a normal back four, but on occasions has also utilised a five-man defence.

That was the case against Dulwich in midweek where Magri was on the right of a central trio, also consisting of Diarra and Craig Robson, with Benny Read and George Mclennan as wing-backs.

A 5-3-2 formation can be used defensively, but Doswell’s system on Wednesday saw Read and Mclennan pushing up so much they were virtually playing in midfield.

Hawks reported to injury concerns following the victory over Dulwich, with Doswell now facing some selection dilemmas ahead of this weekend’s home clash with Oxford City.

Striker Tommy Wright, who had started every game previously, was a sub against Dulwich after feeling ill the previous day.

That resulted in the returning Danny Kedwell - initially down to play as an impact sub - not only starting the game but completing it.

Doswell was full of praise for the 37-year-old, who has been playing for step 5 club Hollands & Blair.

‘Danny gave us a bit more balance up front,’ he remarked. ‘He gives us a different option - he retains the ball better.

‘He’s an intelligent player, a lot cleverer than some people give him credit for.’