Poland stopper Lewandowski out to impress Premier League suitors against Austria

By Simon Jones for the Daily Mail
Updated: 09:07 EST, 12 June 2008

Poland midfielder Mariusz Lewandowski is hoping he can put himself in the shop window when his country take on Austria, provided he can shake off an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk defender has attracted admirers from the Barclays Premier League and is keen to make an impression to earn himself a move to England.

Bolton, Wigan, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Everton have all been credited with an interest and are expected to be represented at the Group B game in Vienna.

Scroll down for more

Opening shots: Mariusz Lewandowsk holds off Miroslav Klose to fire past Michael Ballack during Poland's defeat to Germany

The 6ft 1in Pole, valued at £5million, plays in defence for Shakhtar but national team coach Leo Beenhakker prefers him as a defensive midfielder where he makes the most of his ability to pass the ball out from defensive areas while shielding his back four.

Lewandowski is been expected to recover from the ankle injury picked up in their opening 2-0 defeat by Germany. Beenhakker said: "It's clear these matches ask for top, fit players. He's a lot better but I don't know if it's enough. He has much more of a chance than yesterday."