Due to time constraint, Harimau Malaya's newcomers will have to adapt quickly when the national team gather on Jan 15-26 for a camp.
Coach Tan Cheng Hoe will select 30 players, comprising mostly regulars, for the training camp.
The 52-year-old is expected to include a few newcomers in the hope of giving the national team a facelift ahead of their pre-World Cup/Asian Cup campaign in March.
Cheng Hoe wants the newcomers to work hard in training.
"We will give opportunities to several new faces, and they will have to adapt quickly.
"As I have only 12 days, I want them to do well and realise that they need to work hard to don national colours.
"It will be a good experience for them.
"However, the January camp is a test for the new faces, and if they do well, I will consider them for the matches in March," said Cheng Hoe.
He also hopes there will be no hiccups in Malaysia's travel plans to the Middle East in March.
"We will have to adhere to the guidelines. Currently, the quarantine period in most countries is between 10 and 14 days.
"Come March, we hope the quarantine period will be shorter as it will allow more room for the team to prepare for the matches.
"Of course we want positive results against the United Arab Emirates (away) and Vietnam (home) in March as it will brighten our chances of advancing to the next round from Group G.
"If we do not record good results, then our final match against Thailand (away) in June will be difficult," he added.
Malaysia are second in Group G with nine points behind leaders Vietnam.