Benjamin Sesko is dealing with a lower quad injury ahead of Slovenia’s European Championship meeting with England on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old striker was withdrawn after 76 minutes of Slovenia’s 1-1 draw with Serbia on Thursday with the issue, which both Sesko and head coach Matjaz Kek played down after the game.
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It is understood that Sesko initially suffered a thigh injury at the end of RB Leipzig’s season, which is still affecting him at Euro 2024.
He only had limited participation in Slovenia training for the first week after linking up with the squad, and has played their first two matches while taking painkillers.
On Thursday evening, there was initially concern that Sesko may not be fit for the England match, which Slovenia likely need at least a point from in order to progress.
However, further examination and treatment of the injury on Friday revealed an improvement, and Sesko is now likely to start.
This will be a major boost to Slovenia, with Sesko their most important player. Having scored 14 Bundesliga goals in 2023-24, he was linked with moves to several Premier League clubs this summer, including Arsenal and Manchester United.
Ultimately, he opted to sign a contract extension with Leipzig on improved wages.
Despite not yet scoring, Sesko has impressed at the Euros, working hard in defence, rattling the bar from long-range in Slovenia’s opening draw with Denmark, and having a shot narrowly tipped over against Serbia.
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(Damien Meyer/AFP via Getty Images)