Lewandowski facing late fitness test before Austria game

Robert Lewandowski faces a late fitness test before his Poland side face Austria in their second group game at the European Championship.

Lewandowski missed Poland’s opening match against the Netherlands with a thigh problem sustained during a pre-tournament friendly against Turkey, which head coach Michal Probierz described as a “slight injury”.

The 35-year-old took his place on the bench during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by the Netherlands and has been pictured in training since then.

“There is a big difference if you have the best player in the world on the bench or you have him on the pitch,” Probierz said on Thursday. “We will make a decision later today.

“I hope the decision is positive and I hope I can select him tomorrow. We still don’t know. They are warming up now. I am waiting for the medical team to take the decision.”

Lewandowski is Poland’s captain, all-time top appearance maker (150) and top scorer (82). If the Barcelona striker scores at this Euros, he will become the first Polish player to score in four straight Championships.

Hellas Verona defender Pawel Dawidowicz is also an injury doubt ahead of the Austria game.

After facing Austria at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, Poland play World Cup finalists France at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.

(Julian Finney/Getty Images)