Poland manager Jan Urban has left Bartosz Nowak out of his national squad for upcoming Nations League fixtures against Romania and Sweden in November.
The omission came despite the attacking midfielder enjoying an exceptional run of domestic form for GKS Katowice, having previously been overlooked for international selection as well.
Nowak has produced eight goals and seven assists in just 13 appearances in the Ekstraklasa during the current campaign, proving even more effective after what had been viewed as a career best season last year. His individual numbers have helped lift GKS Katowice to sixth place in the league table, keeping the club within realistic reach of qualification for European competition.
Urban comments on player age
Urban indicated that the midfielder's impressive club displays were still not enough to earn an international opportunity, pointing to Nowak's age as his main consideration. In the coach's view, younger players may prove more useful when selecting options among the squad's substitutes.
GKS Katowice reacted pointedly to the decision on social media, sharing a graphic that captured the mood after the squad announcement. The official club account published the image alongside a brief message stating that that was how it was.
Katowice compete in the Ekstraklasa, the top division of professional football in Poland. Nowak has established a reputation across Polish football as a proven playmaker, but senior international call ups have continued to elude him under Urban's management.
Poland Nations League schedule
Poland will begin the international camp with an away clash against Romania on November 14 at the stadium in Bucharest. The national team, widely known as the White and Reds, will then conclude their Nations League group campaign three days later on home soil.
That decisive return fixture against Sweden is scheduled for November 17 at Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw. The UEFA Nations League is European football's biennial tournament for senior men's international sides, and the Warsaw venue serves as the traditional primary arena for Poland's home fixtures.
