With automatic qualification a distinct possibility, Ireland face Poland tomorrow in Warsaw and a win or a 2-2 draw or higher would grant Martin O'Neill's side safe passage to next summer's finals in France.

However, Ireland will come up against the world's best striker at this moment in Robert Lewandowski.

Lewandowski has been in a hardly believable vein of form, scoring 14 goals in his last five matches for both club and country, the latest of which was a brace against Scotland.

Ireland managed to keep a clean sheet against world champions Germany on Thursday night, but Poland manager Adam Nawalka believes they will hardly have the same good fortune in Warsaw.

“For the time being, Robert Lewandowksi is the best number nine in the world,” coach Adam Nawalka said.

“He’s developing all the time, he continually makes progress, and I do not believe that there is anyone who can stop him."

Poland will be without key squad player Arkadiusz Milik, who picked up an injury in the game at Hampden Park, but Nawalka assured reporters today that his side is more than prepared for this Irish challenge.

 Arkadiusz Milik will miss tomorrow night's clash after picking up an injury against Scotland on Thursday. Image Credit: Czarek Sokolowski / AP/Press Association Images

"We analysed Ireland and their style, so we are well-prepared, we know their strong and weak sides, but we are focused on ourselves and what we have to do to deliver on the pitch," he explained.

"Tomorrow is a very important game for us and we have to have full concentration.

"We prepare the same whether we play Ireland or Scotland or Germany or Georgia and we are well prepared for this.

"It was unexpected, for Ireland to win against Germany. Both teams played to a very high level, but we know that any result is possible.

"Germany had more possession but it comes down to the goals you score, Ireland did better on that front so we know it will be difficult. A hard game awaits us but we are ready for it."

 Jakub Wawrzyniak who comes into the squad to face Ireland added that the home side are only focused on a top two finish.

"We are not thinking of the play-off, all we are thinking about is winning the game. We have proven that we have an identity in our side, we can count on every player in our side and I feel that tomorrow night we will be happy because of the result."

Via The Irish Independent.