Bulgaria will face Malta in a friendly away match on November 18, following the goalless draw with Shakhtar Donentsk on the weekend in Turkey.

Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov could come a step closer to becoming Bulgaria's most prolific scorer of all time, by equalling or even beating Hristo Bonev's record of 47 goals for the national team. So far, Berbatov has 46 goals and 73 caps to his name, while Bonev made his record on the back of 96 international appearances.

The record of the former Lokomotiv Plovdiv striker has remained unchallenged for 30 years. Former Bulgarian stars like Hristo Stoichkov, Nasko Sirakov and Emil Kostadinov, who played for the national team in the 80s and 90s, were unable to equal the feat.

Berbatov has long been expected to surpass Bonev and he could do so against a side that he has punished in the past. In three career games against Malta, Berbatov has four goals.

Martin Petrov, who sustained another knee injury while on duty with Bulgaria, suffering a sprain of the inner ligament in the left knee, will miss the friendly as he is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Manchester City's Carrington training centre.

Berbatov will be paired up front with Valeri Bojinov, who is reported to have recovered from injury and is match fit. Litex Lovech's central defender Plamen Nikolov is also a major doubt for the match.

According to sportal.bg, Aston Villa's Stiliyan Petrov and Georgi Surmov from Levski Sofia will start in midfield, while Vesselin Minev, Zhivko Milanov, Stanislav Angelov and Stanislav Manolev will make up the back four in front of goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov.