He clearly comes behind Emmanuel Olisadebe, Pawel Kryszalowicz, Maciej Zurawski, Marcin Zewlakow and Cezary Kucharski in the pecking order. And many Poles want to know why.
Engel has hinted that Wichniarek is unpopular with his international team-mates, but that theory does not wash with several of them.
Poland and Schalke 04 defender Tomasz Hajto told Przeglad Sportowy newspaper that "Artur would be useful at the World Cup".
Hajto added: "He wants to go to win matches and he could score important goals for us.
"If someone has scored 18 goals this season, it means that he really knows what he is doing.
"I don't care whether somebody likes or dislikes Artur. I personally have nothing against him."
Piotr Swierczewski, the midfield playmaker, agrees.
"I have known Artur for some time," he said. "I can't say he is a great friend of mine, but not because I don't like him.
Exceptionally talented
"He is confident and has the feel for scoring and, in my opinion he has great future.
"In a few months he may turn out to be our top striker and I want to stress that in our group there were no objections to his presence."
Jacek Bak is similarly unimpressed with the popularity argument.
"He is an exceptionally talented player," the Lens defender said. "You don't score 18 goals a season by accident.
"We are not going to Korea to hold each other's hands and walk around, but to win.
"I have nothing against Wichniarek and I haven't heard any of my colleagues say anything against him."
