Name: Tomasz Cywka
Date of Birth: 27th June 1988
Position: Midfielder
Club: Wigan
Previous Clubs: None
International Honours:
Poland U17 35(6)
Poland U19 44(7)
Poland U21 11(1)
This Polish winger has had his promising career halted by injury but his potential is undoubtedly there. In his three years at Wigan he has had three managers and all have expressed their delight at having him at the JJB Stadium.
He has an amazing 90 appearances for Poland's U17, U19 and U21 sides and is the youngest ever player to represent them at U21 level.
Signed by then manager Paul Jewell in 2006, he turned down Bayern Munich to play for the Latics and Jewell's relief at him finally putting pen to paper was shown in his immediate quotes when he said "Until a player actually signs the deal, anything can happen and I am delighted Tomasz is a Wigan player at last. He has a real chance to make it in the game. I think he has all the attributes to become a very good player - a great touch, vision and pace. Now he needs to adapt to the English game and make all that potential come good."
Jewell left the following summer and Cywka impressed new manager Steve Bruce, enough to be handed a first team debut in the Carling Cup tie at Crewe. A loan spell at League One Oldham followed and he returned ready to force his way into the Latics first team but injuries hampered his progression and he had to write off the remainder of the season.
A small squad and niggling injuries saw him being unable to gain match experience via another loan spell in 2007/8 or 2008/9 as Steve Bruce kept him hanging around the side, when not on the treatment table, for back up. He did make one more appearance, in the FA Cup tie at Tottenham Hotspur in January 2009.
Bruce then offered his support to the youngster and stated how he was close to a first team breakthrough. Just as his big break landed he suffered more injury heartache as torn knee ligaments put him back on the sidelines and ended his season.
Roberto Martinez is now in charge and with Cywka coming back to fitness, has mentioned the Polish midfielder as being a boost to the squad when he regains fitness, a positive sign for a player who has promised so much but, due to his body, been unable to deliver as of yet.