Polish national team boss Adam Nawalka and his assistant Tomasz Iwan were at Portman Road this afternoon to watch Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski in action during the 0-0 draw with Burton Albion, TWTD has learned.

Bialkowski is yet to win a senior international cap but played six times for the Poland U20 side early in his career.

Speaking in October, the 30-year-old admitted he remained hopeful of being part of the Poland squad at this summer’s World Cup in Russia, where they will face Senegal, Colombia and Japan in Group H.

“Nothing has changed,” he said. “It is still my dream to play for my country and it would be great if I could do it in the World Cup. But it’s out of my hands, even if I keep believing it might happen and I’m a big believer.”

Premier League keepers Artur Boruc (Bournemouth) and Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea), along with former Arsenal number one Wojciech Szczesny, now with Juventus, and Roma’s Lukasz Skorupski, have all been ahead of the Town number one in the international pecking order.

Nawalka, 60, and Iwan, 46, will have been impressed with Bialkowski’s display against the Brewers, his second successive clean sheet.

The former Southampton and Notts County man made two vital second-half saves, first thwarting ex-Town striker Darren Bent when through one-on-one and then making a brilliant reaction stop from a Kyle McFadzean header in the closing moments.

Blues boss Mick McCarthy praised his keeper, Town’s Player of the Year for the last two seasons, following the match: “He’s great, isn’t he? He’s a good goalkeeper.”

Last month, Bialkowski agreed a new contract at Portman Road, running to the summer of 2020 with the club having an option for a further season, which he is expected to sign very shortly.

Photos: TWTD

BillyBaxterwasbest added 22:28 - Feb 10 No one deserves it more, he would not let them down!
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12th_Man added 22:37 - Feb 10 Your best keeper Poland 🇵🇱
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iaintaylorx added 22:44 - Feb 10 Most countries take three goalkeepers. So, Szcznesny and Fabianski would clearly be their first two choices, but Bart 100% deserves a call to the World Cup. Would hugely benefit Bart himself learning from two good goalkeepers, both who have played at Arsenal and Szcznesny is now learning from the master, Buffon! That can only be a bonus! He deserves the call up from the past few seasons he has saved us!

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GiveusaWave added 22:54 - Feb 10 Good for Bart and good for ITFC if he gets in...the club could certainly do with the 400K
4

Mark added 22:57 - Feb 10 It would be great for Bart if he could go to the World Cup. 19 MoM awards on this site already this season, today included.
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steve01777 added 23:12 - Feb 10 THE best keeper we have in since the mighty Paul Cooper. Deserves all recognition from his performances throughout his service to us. I for one hope he gets in their squad.
5

Taricco_Fan added 23:22 - Feb 10 Four keepers all playing at the top level ahead of Bart so unlikely to make the World Cup squad but I sincerely hope he gets a cap at some point. A fantastic keeper who thoroughly deserves to represent his country. If Poland didn't have such a wealth of goalkeeping talent he would have done so many times already.
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BluedanW added 00:00 - Feb 11 They will probably wondering why he plays for such a poor team
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runningout added 02:22 - Feb 11 not the ideal game to be assessed in
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jas0999 added 10:27 - Feb 11 Bart saved us from an even further embarrassment. Needless to say they won't have enjoyed the game, but I'd have thought they would have liked that late save ... providing they hadn't fallen asleep or left after ten minutes!
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