Marsaxlokk players will consider going on strike if the situation at the troubled Premier League club fails to improve in the coming days.

Malcolm Licari, one of Marsaxlokk's senior players, revealed yesterday that the club's financial and organisational plight had moved the players to contemplate a no-show for today's match against champions Valletta but further talks with the club's committee and the Malta FA averted strike action. "We were considering going on strike but together with the Malta FA and the club's committee, who are both co-operating with us, we're trying to find a solution," Licari told a news conference at the GWU headqurarters in Valletta. "Tomorrow (today) we will turn up for our game against Valletta but we will evaluate the situation again next week. If we are not given the assurances we're seeking, we will seriously consider not showing up for future games." Earlier, club captain Carlo Mamo told reporters that the players, the majority of whom were present for yesterday's news conference, decided to summon the media to explain their difficult situation. "We wanted to do something about it," Mamo said. "The club's committee are working hard to find solutions but the financial demands to run a Premier League team are massive.

"We're still without a coach and we're going into matches not knowing what will happen to a player if he suffers an injury. We didn't even have a physiotherapist for our last game against Hamrun. "This situation is unacceptable. We have informed the Malta FA to take certain measures to safeguard our interests." The next transfer window opens on January 1 but we're going to ask the MFA to give our players permission to move before January. According to FIFA regulations, this decision is at the discretion of the Malta FA. "Such measure would benefit the club as it would alleviate some of their financial problems as well as the player who would be able to continue his career in a serene way." Mamo said the absence of a coach has had a negative effect on the players' fitness.

"Physically, we're not prepared, we can't last 90 minutes," Licari added. "Besides, the pool of players has diminished after Florent Raimy and Carlos Campagnoli left in agreement with the club." The Marsaxlokk players, who thanked the Malta Football Players Association and GWU for their support, stressed that injury treatment issue was their primary concern at this stage.

"There are financial problems but our main concern lies with gaining assurances that if players get injured, the club would honour its obligations," Mamo said.

"At least, we've been promised the services of a physiotherapist for our next game." Mamo also confirmed that, yesterday morning, they were informed that Marsaxlokk are entitled to 50 treatment sessions at the Malta FA clinic this season. Anthony Galea, from the MFPA, said that the Marsaxlokk players have not requested an immediate settlement of their unpaid wages but they're asking the club to officially recognise the amount of money each player is owed. It was also revealed during yesterday's news conference that some of Marsaxlokk's foreign players not only had to borrow money from their team-mates but were ordered to leave their apartments by the landlord. Some also had their rented cars taken away from them. "Despite all these difficulties, I think we showed our commitment and professionalism in the game against Hamrun Spartans (Marsaxlokk won 5-3)," Licari said.

Anthony Lee Baldacchino is heading the Marsaxlokk committee as acting president after the club last month passed a vote of no confidence in Robert Micallef.