Suspension forces Tekpetey out of Schalke's trip to Salzburg

Ghanaian youngster Bernard Tekpetey has been unable to travel with Schalke 04 for Thursday's Uefa Europa League encounter with Red Bull Salzburg due to suspension.

The prodigy made his professional debut for the Royal Blues in a 2-0 home win over OGC Nice last month.

After winning a penalty which led to Schalke's second goal, the teenager saw what could have been a dream debut marred by a red card on the stroke of full-time for a second bookable offence.

The marching orders effectively ruled him out of contention for the trip to Austria.

"Bernard was disappointed to be sent off, but he will come back better for it," Schalke director of sports Christian Heidel had said after the game.

"He fought very well, especially considering it was his first game at the top level.

"We would have liked to be able to take him to Salzburg, but now we have to wait a little longer."

Tekpetey is not the only player to miss Salzburg clash, as coach Markus Weinzierl opted to give rest to goalkeeper Ralf, Fahrmann, Naldo, Matija Nastasic, Sead Kolasinac, Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka, Nabil Bentaleb and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

Tekpetey's compatriot Baba Rahman, however, made the trip.