Poland striker Robert Lewandowski has been ruled out of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with England due to a knee injury.
The 32-year-old is Poland's captain and all-time record goalscorer, having struck 66 times in 118 games.
Lewandowski had been highlighted by England manager Gareth Southgate as the dangerman ahead of the Group I clash at Wembley – but the Polish FA confirmed on Monday that the Bayern Munich striker will sit out the contest.
"Robert Lewandowski will not play in Wednesday's 2022 World Cup qualifying match against England in London due to an injury," a statement on its website read.
"Clinical and imaging studies have shown damage to the collateral ligament of the right knee. The short time remaining until the next match of the national team excludes the participation of the national team captain in this match.
"This would carry too much risk of aggravating the injury. This decision is the only right one, bearing in mind the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament.
"Treatment of this type of injury usually lasts from five to 10 days. Therefore, Robert Lewandowski will return to the club, where he will undergo further rehabilitation."
Lewandowski has already scored three goals from their opening two qualifying games for Qatar 2022 – netting a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw in Hungary and grabbing a brace in Sunday's 3-0 home win over Andorra.
The eight-time Bundesliga winner has faced England twice in the past and has yet to score past the Three Lions, who sit top of the qualifying group after picking up maximum points from their first two games.
Lewandowski hits hat-trick for Bayern
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Robert Lewandowski, left, celebrates with Serge Gnabry after scoring Bayern Munich's opening goal in their 4-0 Bundesliga win over Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, March 20. AP -
Robert Lewandowski heads home his second and Bayern's third goal. Getty -
Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard. Reuters -
Bayern's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates. AFP -
Stuttgart's Marc-Oliver Kempf challenges Bayern winger Leroy Sane. AP -
Referee Daniel Schlager shows Bayern's Alphonso Davies a red card. Getty -
Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry celebrates scoring their second goal with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Reuters -
Bayern forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates completing his first-half hat-trick. AFP -
Stuttgart's Gonzalo Castro fails to find his way past a Bayern wall from a free-kick. Reuters -
Stuttgart goalkeeper Gregor Kobesaves Bayern's Thomas Muller. AP
