Kucsczak Overlooked

Manchester United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak appears to have little chance of playing in Euro 2008 for Poland as reports in his homeland suggest the Red Devils reserve has no hope of forcing his way into Leo Beenhakker's plans.

As Poland have a wealth of options between the posts, including Celtic's Artur Boruc, Real Madrid veteran Jerzy Dudek and Arsenal's Lukasz Fabianski, Kuszczak is struggling to even get a spot as a stand-by option and was left out of the game with Czech Republic this month with Fabianski preferred as Boruc's deputy.

Kuszczak told the Polish media recently: "I'm disappointed, I feel like I'm on a high as a player, but the better I play in my club, the further the international action is moving away from me.

"But I'm a professional and I accept the trainer's decisions.

"I want to play in the national team. I don't feel like someone hates me."

Nevertheless, the same media in his homeland have canvassed opinion from some of his international colleagues, who preferred to remain anonymous.

"We prefer Boruc," said one. "He's a very positive and humorous person, rather than Kuszczak, who sometimes won't get a joke and throws a fit and, when he replies, his jokes are heavy."

Another player complained: "Tomek [Kuszczak] is a good goalkeeper but sometimes he gives the impression that he thinks he's the best in the world.