Tomasz Kuszczak is a popular man at present and currently under siege from the media.

Not only are a pack of English journalists plaguing him on a regular basis in an attempt to glean a reaction from his inclusion in the Poland World Cup squad, but he also has to deal with his own countrymen.

By all accounts, the English press are pussycats in comparison to their Polish counterparts, who are tenacious to the extreme.

Kuszczak and at least half-a-dozen of his colleagues have already been linked with prospective moves to Manchester United next season by an over-zealous Polish media possessing more spin than Alistair Campbell.

However, the 24-year-old has more reason than most to welcome the adulation after an initial 15-month stint at the Hawthorns that saw him start just three Premiership fixtures.

The arrival of Chris Kirkland on loan from Liverpool in the summer of 2005 appeared to confirm Kuszczak's role as that of the perennial bridesmaid but an injury to the former Coventry City stopper opened the door for Kuszczak.

The Polish goalkeeper accepted the opportunity with aplomb and established himself as Albion's premier No 1, thus confining Kirkland to the substitute's bench.

Kuszczak's inspirational form ultimately alerted Poland's national coach Pawel Janas and as a result, the Albion man has been drafted into the final 23-man squad at the expense of Liverpool's Jerzy Dudek.

All of which has led to an upsurge of interest in the garrulous goalkeeper. However, speaking to The Post from his parents' home in Wroclaw, Kuszczak admits it is a necessary evil that he has fully embraced. "It is very hectic as everyone wants to talk to me at present, " said a weary Kuszczak.

"The press are calling me all the time, but I am not complaining. It is better that I can talk to you, as it means people have something to talk about.

"I can remember when I was sitting on the bench at Albion and no-one asked me any questions at all. That lasted for a long time, so I am more than happy to talk to anyone now, as they are all wishing me well."

Kuszczak is one of three goalkeepers included in the squad and would appear to be facing a straight fight with Celtic's Artur Boruc for a starting role.

Boruc will start as the favourite although Janas has insisted he won't be making any final decisions until the team have completed their training camp in Switzerland.

A bullish Kuszczak isn't ruling out the possibility of usurping Boruc in the race for a starting role to ensure that his best season in football continues to the end of June.

"This season has been like a dream for me. Even though Albion are now in the Championship, I didn't expect to play so many games in the Premiership at the start of the season," he admitted.

"I need to thank both Bryan Robson and the manager of Poland for giving me my opportunity and I think everything is open ahead of our first game against Ecuador.

"We attend a training camp in Switzerland on Monday and my aim to be Poland's No 1 in time for our first game."

As with most countries entering the World Cup, expectations are at ludicrously high levels ahead of their opening fixture.

However, with a group comprising Ecuador, Costa Rica and Germany, there is a genuine belief that Poland can qualify for the second stage.

Kuszczak was an employee of Hertha Berlin prior to his move to The Hawthorns and will have expectation levels raised enormously if he is selected for the clash with their hosts.

"If I play in that game, I will need about half of the stadium for people I know who will want to watch," laughed Kuszczak.

"However, we get ten tickets for every game, so I should be able to keep my immediate family happy.

"Our fans think we can do really well and I would like to think that we can reach the second round. Poland didn't do very well in our last World Cup, so we have to make amends and we should be aiming for at least second place in our group.

"Who knows how far we can go? It would be nice to meet England at some stage, as they beat us twice in the qualifying stages and we would like to put that record straight."