Germany vs Poland: Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny ruled out of Euro 2016 Group C tie

Poland will be without first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for their Euro 2016 tie against rivals Germany on Thursday night (16 June). The 26-year-old, who currently plays for Arsenal but spent the entire 2015-16 campaign on loan at Serie A side Roma, was selected ahead of Lukasz Fabianski for last weekend's 1-0 win over Northern Ireland and played the full 90 minutes despite receiving treatment on a thigh injury sustained during a first-half collision with Kyle Lafferty.

Szczesny also endured a painful accidental clash with teammate Lukasz Piszczek in Nice, but it is the initial problem that appears to have lingered. Poland currently lie second in Group C, narrowly behind Germany after Joachim Low's reigning world champions began their quest for a fourth European Championship title by defeating Ukraine 2-0 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

"There is no chance that he is playing," manager Adam Nawalka confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday, as relayed by De Telegraaf. When asked when Szczesny might return, he added: "We cannot say. I hope he can play against Ukraine."

Szczesny is likely to be replaced by current Swansea number one and former Gunners teammate Fabianski for Thursday's clash in Paris, although Bournemouth veteran Artur Boruc is also available for selection.

Poland's win over Northern Ireland, secured via a second-half strike from Ajax striker Arkadiusz Milik, was their first at the Euros at the seventh attempt, with the 2012 co-hosts having endured three draws and three defeats en route to two consecutive group stage exits. They have met Germany three times in the past two years, drawing a friendly before springing a rare qualifying defeat in October 2014. Normal service was resumed 11 months later, however, when Mario Gotze's brace sealed a 3-1 triumph in Frankfurt.

Key to any hopes of another victory for Poland will be their ability to provide adequate service to captain and talismanic Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. The 27-year-old was kept quiet in their opener, but Die Mannschaft will be only too aware of the significant qualities of a player who this season became the first man to score 30 goals in a single Bundesliga campaign since 1977.