POLAND face being without three of their biggest stars against England — including Robert Lewandowski. Bayern Munich are currently blocking striker Lewandowski from featuring in three World Cup qualifiers which includes the Wembley trip on March 31. Marseille have told Arkadiusz Milik he cannot travel to the game either, while Krzysztof Piatek is also being […]
POLAND face being without three of their biggest stars against England — including Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern Munich are currently blocking striker Lewandowski from featuring in three World Cup qualifiers which includes the Wembley trip on March 31.
Marseille have told Arkadiusz Milik he cannot travel to the game either, while Krzysztof Piatek is also being stopped by Hertha Berlin.
Poland’s first qualifier is away to Hungary a week today, followed by a home game with Andorra on March 28.
They travel to London three days later. The loss of these three attacking players would be a massive boost for England boss Gareth Southgate as Poland are their strongest rivals in the group.
And Lewandowski illustrated why he would be such a miss for the Poles on Saturday when he drew level with Schalke legend Klaus Fischer as the second-highest scorer in Bundesliga history with 268 goals.
The Three Lions later travel to Warsaw on September 8.
Only the top team qualifies automatically for next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Wales’ James Lawrence is also sweating on his involvement for their World Cup qualifiers.
The seven-cap defender, 28, plays for St Pauli in the Bundesliga second division.
Under current German quarantine regulations, Lawrence would have to self-isolate for 14 days when he travels back from the UK to Germany after the international break.
Lawrence is in limbo and waiting to hear from the Government ahead of Wales meeting up in Cardiff on Sunday.
The former Anderlecht centre-back was named in caretaker boss Robert Page’s 31-man squad on Monday.
Wales face Group E clashes against Belgium next Wednesday and the Czech Republic on March 30, as well as a home friendly with Mexico in between.
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If Lawrence is unavailable, the setback could hit his hopes of being in Wales’ final squad for the Euro 2020 finals this summer.
Wales are well stocked with centre-back options with Tottenham’s Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham of Bournemouth, Luton’s Tom Lockyer and Ben Cabango of Swansea all in Page’s squad.
Versatile Ben Davies, Ethan Ampadu and Chris Gunter are also options if the Dragons opt to play three defenders at the back.
