Why Ester Sokler missed Aberdeen's Scottish Cup semi-final win
The Slovenian frontman, who only recently returned from a lengthy lay-off, suffered a new injury blow in training last week — ruling him out of Saturday's last-four showdown and sparking concern over his availability for the club's season run-in.
Sokler didn't even travel to Glasgow with the matchday squad, with his absence catching many supporters by surprise inside the national stadium. The 25-year-old had looked to be edging his way back to full fitness following a difficult campaign, only for this latest misfortune to strike at the worst possible time.
The setback is hardly ideal for both Sokler and Aberdeen, with Jimmy Thelin's men preparing for a defining stretch in their season.
Having secured their place in the Scottish Cup final and with European qualification still up for grabs, the Dons had hoped Sokler's return to fitness would bolster their attacking options for the run-in — but those plans are now firmly on hold.
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January loanee Oday Dabbagh seized his chance in Sokler's absence on Saturday, netting the extra-time winner to seal a 2-1 victory over nine-man Hearts. The Palestinian striker, alongside Pape Gueye and Kevin Nisbet, will now shoulder the attacking burden as Aberdeen look to finish the campaign strongly.
Peter Ambrose also remains an option for Thelin, but with only two goals from 22 appearances this season, the 22-year-old appears to be some way down the pecking order at Pittodrie.
It's another cruel twist in what has been a stop-start second season in Scotland for Sokler. The former NK Radomlje man made a blistering start to the current campaign, netting five goals in seven Scottish League Cup appearances, but injuries have since limited him to just five cameo outings since the turn of the year.
(Image: SNS Group)
Midfield linchpin Sivert Heltne Nilsen is also facing an anxious wait over his own fitness. The Norwegian has missed Aberdeen's last five matches after suffering an eye injury and remains under assessment as he awaits a follow-up consultation with a specialist.
The Dons will be hoping for positive news on both fronts as the new-look Thelin era edges towards a high-stakes conclusion.
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