Turning down latest Malta call-up proving right decision for former Portsmouth and Hawks defender Sam Magri

Sam Magri reckons his decision to turn down the chance to link up with Malta in the latest international round of fixtures is proving the right one.

The defender opted to stay with the Hawks after being asked about his availability for the national team earlier this month.

Magri has proved a pivotal figure in his side's last two matches, netting in National League South victories over both Dulwich Hamlet and Oxford City at Westleigh Park.

Those would have been games the 26-year-old would have missed - along with the FA Cup win over Cray Valley Paper Mills the previous weekend - had he decided to join up with Devis Mangia's squad.

Magri would also have been absent from Tuesday’s NL South trip to Bath, had the game not been postponed due to the hosts’ trio of Covid-19 positive test results.

Magri insisted it's always a 'tough situation' having to choose between club and country, but he feels staying with the Hawks for the past three games hasn't been his 'worst decision'.

‘I got called up but because they’ve got a new manager they wanted me to go outside of the international window,' revealed Magri.

‘Obviously, after I was speaking to the gaffer (Paul Doswell) I would have missed three games.

‘It’s always a tough situation, I want to do both, but obviously I’ve stayed here and played and I’m doing well so it’s good.

‘I would have been away from November 1st until November 18th, so I would have missed quite a few games.

‘It’s always tough in that respect, but I’m here playing.

‘I’ve just stayed here, I’m playing well and it’s going well for me, so it’s not the worst decision.'

While Magri has been with the Hawks, Malta recorded a 3-0 friendly win against Liechtenstein and a 3-1 Nations League triumph over Andorra.

They also have another game to come in the international competition with Faroe Islands providing the opposition on Tuesday.

Despite deciding against joining up with Malta this time, Magri is still hopeful of winning more caps in the future.

'Of course (I want to continue playing internationally),' added the former Pompey centre half.

‘It’s been a great experience with some of the teams and players I’ve played against.

‘I never want to give that up so hopefully I’ll be able to sort something out with Malta at a later date.'

Magri played for England at various youth levels, including playing in the under-17 World Cup in 2011.

There, alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Pickford and Nathaniel Chalobah, Magri helped England to the quarter-finals.

He scored in a penalty shoot-out win against Argentina, and again from the spot in the quarter-final against Germany - a game England lost 3-2.

Magri, who has a Maltese grandfather, made his Malta debut at under-21 level in 2015 and his senior international debut in 2016.

The following August, he played for Malta in a World Cup qualifier against England - a game Gareth Southgate’s side won 4-0 thanks to three goals in the last 10 minutes.

A few days later he played another 90 minutes as Malta were beaten 2-0 by Scotland at Hampden Park in another World Cup qualifier.

In all, Magri has won seven senior caps for Malta but has not played for the first team since 2017.