FK Moscow midfielder Damian Gorawski withdrew from Poland's World Cup squad on Monday after medical tests uncovered a serious circulation and respiratory condition just hours before the team left for Germany.
"Tests have uncovered changes in his circulation and respiratory system which leave no doubt," team doctor Jerzy Grzywocz said at Warsaw airport.
"These tests do not allow us to risk his health and life. We have sent the medical documentation to FIFA," he added.
Coach Pawel Janas has called up Lech Poznan defender Bartosz Bosacki as a replacement and played down the impact on the squad, already hit by a row over the shock exclusion of Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek and striker Tomasz Frankowski.
"Bosacki will fly out with us to Switzerland," he said. "I don't see any problem with exchanging a midfielder for a defender. We had nine midfielders, now we will have eight - it is enough," the coach said.
FIFA regulations allow teams to replace an injured player in the squad up to 24 hours before their first game.
{{/usCountry}}FIFA regulations allow teams to replace an injured player in the squad up to 24 hours before their first game.
{{/usCountry}}Janas's 23-man squad flew out on Monday to begin final preparations in Switzerland for next month's finals.