Burton Mail

Coach is cagey, but Bielik injury seems slight

- DERBY COUNTY

KRYSTIAN Bielik is expected to be available for Poland’s second group match, against Saudi Arabia, after suffering a minor injury in their World Cup opener.

The Rams midfielder, currently on loan with Birmingham City, was introduced as a second half substitute for Nicola Zalewski as Czeslaw Michniewic­z’s side drew 0-0 against Mexico, following Robert Lewandowsk­i’s penalty miss.

But Michniewic­z said afterwards that both both Bielik and Bartek Bereszynsk­i were carrying knocks.

Poland face the Saudis, surprise 2-1 one winners over Argentina in their opener, on Saturday.

Michniewic­z did not have too much to say about either injured player, but told Interia Sport: “Krystian Bielik has a minor injury and Bartek Bereszynsk­i has a muscle problem.

“We’ll see what’s up with Beres. If he can’t play, everything will be turned upside down for us.”

However, the Polish media moved to alleviate fears.

Reporter Tomasz Kowalczyk, on Twitter, said: “I was asked not to panic.

“Krystian Bielik himself informed that he had no injuries. In the case of Bartek Beresznski, there is no strain but the coach said that if Beres was not there, it would turn everything upside down.”

CARLISLE United manager Paul Simpson has said he hopes his club can keep on-loan Derby County striker Jack Stretton beyond the January transfer window.

The young forward signed for the League Two side on a seasonlong loan in the summer.

He has scored three goals in 17 appearance­s in all competitio­ns so far, but the Rams do have the option of recalling him when the January transfer window opens.

Head coach Paul Warne has said he has a decision to make over the academy graduate.

Speaking about the player’s future, Simpson sent a clear message to the Derby coaching staff over what he would like to happen when the window opens.

“We don’t have a choice,” The Carlisle boss told the News & Star newspaper.

“But we’ve been really

fortunate Derby have allowed us to loan him.

“They’ve got a new manager who doesn’t really know Jack. I think he’s in a really good place.

“I know he hasn’t played a lot of minutes, but he was getting minutes until he got injured and he’s now working his way back into the team. I hope we can keep him.

“Unfortunat­ely, it’s not in our hands and I just hope Derby look and they’ve got David Mcgoldrick, James Collins, Lewis Dobbin, Will Osula – a whole host of players.

“I hope that means they decide Jack can stay with us.”

Warne confirmed last week that there had already been talks over Stretton between his assistant manager Richie Barker and Simpson.

“I haven’t had any conversati­ons with him yet, but I have watched some of his goals to be fair,” said Warne last week.

“Richie Barker did speak to their manager the other day to see how it was going.

“They asked if we were going to pull him back. They need to know but we said we would make that decision in December.

“(I could) just leave him where he is, he’s playing when he’s fit. He’s enjoying it.

“I am not saying we would not bring him back for the benefit of the club.

“But if I am not bringing him back to play then there’s no point coming in and sitting behind everybody else.”

 ?? ?? Krystian Bielik in action against Mexico.
Krystian Bielik in action against Mexico.

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