BySimon Griver, Simon Griver
Elisha Levy has named a youthful squad for Israel’s World Cup qualifier in Albania on Saturday night.
Missing Brighton midfielder Beram Kayal, Levy has recalled CSKA Moscow's Bibras Nathko, as well as the in-form Beer Sheva striker Ben Sahar in a squad that includes first-time call-ups for four under-21 players. Striker Eran Zahavi will captain the team.
After three matches in Group G, both Israel and Albania are level on six points, one point behind Spain and Italy.
With only an outside chance of overhauling the top two to reach Russia in 2018, Israel and Albania are competing for third place and for Israel the opportunity to rise from fourth seed to third seed for the Euro 2020 qualification draw.
ISRAEL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers:
Dudu Goresh (Hapoel Beer Sheva)
Ofir Marciano (Hibernian)
Omri Glazer (Maccabi Haifa)
Defenders:
Shir Tzedek (Hapoel Beer Sheva)
Eitan Tibi (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Rami Gershon (Gent)
Omri Ben Harush (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Taleb Tawatha (Maccabi Haifa)
Eli Dasa (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Midfielders:
David Keltjens (Beitar Jerusalem)
Almog Cohen (Ingolstadt)
Bibras Nathko (CSKA Moscow)
Nir Bitton (Celtic)
Dan Einbinder (Beitar Jerusalem)
Neta Lavi (Maccabi Haifa)
Dor Micha (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Maor Buzaglo (Hapoel Beer Sheva)
Michael Ohana (Ashdod)
Strikers:
Tomer Hemed (Brighton)
Tal Ben Haim (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Eran Zahavi (Guangzhou)(capt.)
Eliran Atar (Maccabi Haifa)
Ben Sahar (Hapoel Beer Sheva)