Midfielder Blerim Dzemaili was selected in the Switzerland squad Thursday for the first time in almost two years to face Malta in a friendly.
Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said the Parma player was rewarded for his form and consistency after recovering from injuries.
"Dzemaili is a quality player who has always been in my thoughts," said Hitzfeld, who awarded the 24-year-old player the last of his 10 caps in April 2009.
Hitzfeld said he picked an experienced 18-man squad traveling to Valetta for next Wednesday's match because there is no time to experiment before a crucial 2012 European Championship qualifier in Bulgaria on March 26.
"We absolutely must impose ourselves on Bulgaria to maintain our chances of qualifying," the veteran coach said.
Switzerland already has lost Group G matches against Montenegro and England, and trails both in the five-team pool.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Marco Woelfli (Young Boys)
Defenders: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Johan Djourou (Arsenal), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Steve Von Bergen (Cesena), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria)
Midfielders: David Degen (Young Boys), Gelson Fernandes (Chievo), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Blerim Dzemaili (Parma), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel), Valentin Stocker (FC Basel)
Forwards: Alex Frei (FC Basel), Marco Streller (FC Basel), Hakan Yakin (Lucerne), Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen)
