Scotland have been handed a boost ahead of their opening Nations League game this weekend after their opponents, Slovenia, confirmed that star striker Benjamin Sesko had withdrawn from their squad due to injury.
After being drawn in the same Nations League group, Bostjan Cesar’s side welcome Scotland this Saturday (September 26), with new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli set to take the dugout for the first time. Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm UK time at Stadion Stozice in Ljubljana.
Sesko, 23, who signed for Manchester United last season for around £74million, started in the 3-2 League Cup defeat to Brighton midweek. However, he was a surprise absentee from Michael Carrick’s squad for the 1-1 draw at Fulham at the weekend, but it has now been confirmed that he was struggling with an injury.
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Sesko will play no part against Scotland this weekend.placeholder image
Sesko will play no part against Scotland this weekend. | (Peter Byrne/PA)
Speaking after the draw with Fulham, head coach Carrick said: “We’re not sure with Ben yet. He felt a bit of pain after the game [against Brighton] so we’re assessing him. At the moment, he definitely wasn’t ready [for Fulham], so I haven’t really got any more news to give you at this point. We’ll have to see what that brings.”
Games against North Macedonia and Switzerland are also on the cards for Slovenia during the upcoming international break. However, the 6ft 5in hitman will play no part after aggravating a shin injury which he first picked up in the latter stages of last season.
The former RB Leipzig man had an impressive debut campaign at Old Trafford following his arrival from the Bundesliga giants, scoring 12 goals in all competitions, including a stunning injury-time leveller against West Ham United. Despite his young years, Sesko has also been a major source of goals for his national side, bagging 16 goals in 45 appearances for Slovenia.
Alongside Sesko, they have lost fellow striker Niko Prelc and defender Zan Zaletel to injury, with head coach Cesar calling up in-form FC Basel forward Zan Celar alongside Omonia’s Jure Balkovec as replacements. It means Slovenia are likely to start this weekend’s game with Swansea City's Zan Vipotnik and Slovan Bratislava's Andraz Sporar, the former of whom scored 25 goals in the EFL Championship last season.
Confirming via a statement on their official website, Manchester United said: “Benjamin has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad ahead of the upcoming three-week international break. The striker had been called up by head coach Bostjan Cesar for two games against Scotland, plus meetings with North Macedonia and Switzerland, but he will now no longer join the squad. Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan.”
Scotland have also suffered injury dropouts ahead of the game, with the national team confirming that experienced duo Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean will miss the upcoming international break on Monday. They’ve ve been replaced by uncapped Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery.