Benjamin Sesko leaves Slovenia squad with shin injury recurrence

Benjamin Sesko has left the Slovenia squad with a recurrence of his shin injury and will undergo tests this week, Manchester United said. The club believe the problem is not serious, according to The Athletic, but the striker may need rest.

The 23-year-old missed Sunday's draw with Fulham and did not travel with the team. Michael Carrick, the United manager, said afterwards: "It was a pain in his shin. We're not sure with him yet. He felt a bit of pain after the game. We're assessing him. He definitely wasn't ready for today." The pain came after the Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton, in which Sesko played 65 minutes.

A club statement said: "Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan." The Mirror reports, citing Ekipa, that there is concern the injury is the same one he suffered last season and could be chronic. It adds that an MRI scan in London is expected.

The problem dates to a collision with Ibrahima Konate at Old Trafford in May, when Sesko went into the advertising hoardings. He did not play again that season and missed all of pre-season. He had appeared fit again, starting against Sabah in the Champions League and playing in four consecutive matches. He has made six appearances this season and scored against Everton and Sabah.

Slovenia, coached by Boštjan Cesar, have Nations League fixtures against Scotland (two), North Macedonia and Switzerland. Sesko has 45 caps and 16 goals for his country. The Evening Standard reports he will spend the next three weeks rehabilitating at Carrington, with the aim of being fit for the visit of Tottenham on October 10.

United go into the break with one win in their last five games, and Carrick is under pressure. If the tests confirm a longer problem, he would be without his striker for much of the run-in to that Tottenham game. That may leave him short of options up front.