This Pole certainly knows way to goal!

WHEN Michal Helik made his debut for Ruch in 2013, a coach at the Polish club tipped the teenager for stardom.

- Chris Dunlavy

“With careful treatment in the coming years he should become one of the leading central defenders in Poland,” said Wojciech Grzyb.

It has not quite worked out that way. Helik’s teenage years were hampered by injury and whilst a move to Barnsley at the age of 24 briefly reignited his international ambitions, a shortage of pace and his obvious discomfort in possession limited the defender to seven caps, the last of which arrived in 2021.

Now 28 and playing for Huddersfield, Helik’s technical constraints mean he is unlikely to feature at the elite end of the game. Even a top side in the Championship may be out of reach.

But forget what he can’t do. What Helik can do - and does with impressive consistency - is score goals.

Last weekend’s 23rd-minute equaliser against Blackburn was the Pole’s eighth goal of the current campaign. Incredibly, he is the Terriers’ leading scorer, two ahead of Delano Burgzorg and five better off than thirdplaced Jack Rudoni.