Sweden international poses threat to Sunderland after praise from Arsenal and Aston Villa stars

Sunderland will come face-to-face with a Sweden international in fine form when they take on Lech Poznan in their latest Europa League tie on Thursday.

The Polish champions have already been robbed of the services of one key player ahead of their meeting with the Black Cats after striker Allahyar Sayyadmanesh picked up a hamstring injury in training earlier this month that is expected to keep him on the sidelines for at least another fortnight. The Iran international, who had a spell in English football with Hull City, had scored seven goals in 15 games in all competitions this season - but he will watch on from the sidelines as his side go looking for their first point and goal of the league phase of the competition.

However, there are still some considerable threats within the Lech side - and perhaps the greatest will come from an international team-mate of Black Cats goalkeeper Melker Ellborg. Swedish winger Patrik Walemark has made a strong start to his first full season in Poland after joining Lech from Feyenoord in January last year and he has shown his prowess in front of goal.

The twice-capped Sweden international scored four goals in four games during Lech’s Europa League qualifying round wins against Klaksvik and Thun after hitting a brace in a Champions League qualifying round win against Danish side AGF. After failing to find the net in his first seven league games, Walemark has hit a serious run of form after following up two-goal displays in wins against Radomiak and Slask Wroclaw with a goal in Sunday’s 6-1 hammering of Korona Kielce. That means the 25-year-old winger has now netted 11 goals and has provided five assists in 19 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

Walemark recently marked his first senior start for Sweden by providing an assist for Viktor Gyokeres in a 3-1 Nations League win against Poland - and that earned him praise from two of this new international team-mates. Speaking after the game, Sweden captain Victor Lindelof said: "He's playing a great game. I think he's going in with confidence and playing his game - that's why he's here, too, to show what kind of player he is.” Arsenal striker Gyokeres added: "The pass was perfect, there was nothing wrong with it. I think he got around his wing well many times and created many dangerous chances. A great effort."

Former Real Madrid man in form

Spanish attacking midfielder Pablo Rodriguez has also impressed for Lech during the first two months of their title defence. The former Real Madrid youngster, who spent time in Italy with Lecce, Brescia and Ascoli before joining Lech, can play in a number of roles in the heart of midfield and has started to show his ability in advanced areas with six goals and six assists in 10 league appearances so far this season. In total, the 25-year-old has 16 goal contributions in 19 games in all competitions. Captain Mikael Ishak, who earned seven senior caps for Sweden over the last decade, could also be one to watch on Thursday evening after the 33-year-old striker scored two goals and provided three assists in his last three league fixtures.

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