Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has pulled out of the Slovenia squad for the upcoming three-week international break because of a recurring shin injury.
The 23-year-old forward was absent from United's matchday squad for their Premier League fixture against Fulham on Sunday after suffering a return of the problem that previously hampered his pre-season.
Sesko has already undergone initial scans in England and will undergo further tests this week to determine the most effective treatment plan. The initial results have been shared with Slovenia's medical staff, and the striker will remain in Manchester for assessment rather than travelling to Ljubljana.
He becomes the latest high-profile player from Old Trafford to withdraw from international duty during this window. United team-mates Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were both ruled out of England's squad under head coach Thomas Tuchel, while goalkeeper Karl Darlow was forced to withdraw from the Wales squad.
Medical tests and statement
Manchester United confirmed the decision in an official club statement, explaining that Sesko would not take part in Slovenia's four upcoming international fixtures.
Slovenia head coach Bostjan Cesar had included the forward in his initial selection for two games against Scotland, alongside encounters with North Macedonia and Switzerland.
"Sesko last appeared in our Carabao Cup tie with Brighton & Hove Albion, but was absent from the matchday squad for our most recent encounter with Fulham," United said in their statement. "Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan."
Sesko joined Premier League side Manchester United for £74 million from German Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. He has made six appearances for United this season, but the niggling shin issue also sidelined him for the final three matches of last season as well as the club's entire pre-season schedule.
Club versus country history
Sources within the Football Association of Slovenia stated that updates regarding Sesko's fitness and recovery program remain the responsibility of Manchester United. The governing body added that head coach Cesar will not make any public comments on the situation.
The latest withdrawal comes amid previous club-versus-country tension between United and the Slovenian national team. In March, Slovenia insisted on conducting their own assessment when Sesko withdrew from international duty, prompting Cesar to warn United that his country would not be pushed around.
Although Cesar adopted a more conciliatory tone when naming Sesko in his squad last week, this latest withdrawal has raised further questions in Slovenia regarding the player's year-long absence from international football.
Search for a permanent solution
Both Manchester United and Slovenia are keen to resolve the recurring shin problem after Sesko previously expressed confidence that the injury had fully healed over the summer break.
Speaking earlier this month, the striker explained that taking extra time during the summer had been intended to prevent any return of the injury.
"It was basically just to make sure that it doesn't get worse because this was kind of a problem," Sesko said. "We just need a little bit longer than usual, because if you start too early it might appear again. I think waiting a little bit longer was a great decision and now it's healed, so it's perfect."
