Sesko among three injury absences for Slovenia against Scotland

Slovenia have suffered a triple injury blow as they prepare to start their Nations League campaign at home to Scotland on Saturday, the biggest being the absence of Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko.

The 23-year-old, who has scored 16 times in 45 appearances for his country, is joined on the sidelines by Jagiellonia Bialystok striker Niko Prelc and Viborg centre-half Zan Zaletel.

Slovenia had already lost Legia Warsaw’s experienced Petar Stojanovic, who is on loan to Maribor, through injury.

Fellow Maribor right-back Zan Celar and Omonia left-back Jure Balkovec have been called up as replacements.

Slovan Bratislava forward Andraz Sporar told the Slovenian FA website: “It is impossible to replace a player of Benjamin’s calibre, but football is a team sport and Slovenia has never relied on just one player.

“[Igor] Vekic provided a great example of this, performing excellently in goal when [Jan] Oblak was injured.

“Slovenia’s greatest strength has always been the team. We will simply have to manage without him, though of course he would have been incredibly useful.

“This will be a major setback for us. We know what he brings to our attack and the national team. We will try to adapt as best we can. We will certainly miss him, especially with four matches coming up.”

Sesko will undergo further testing to establish whether he has worsened his persistent shin injury, having missed United’s draw with Fulham on Sunday.

The striker felt pain after their previous match against Brighton & Hove Albion, leading to fears the injury is similar to the problem he suffered last season.

Having been signed from RB Leipzig last summer, Sesko managed just 19 starts but still managed 12 goals last season and has followed that with two in six appearances this term so far.