JOHANNESBURG, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia striker Nejc Pecnik will be sidelined for the rest of the World Cup due to a broken ankle.

According to the Slovenia spokesman Matjaz Krajnik, Pecnik broke his right ankle during the 2-2 draw with the United States on Friday, after the 24-year-old forward collided with Americans midfielder Clint Dempsey in the final minutes of the game.

Pecnik had only come on in the 74th minute as a substitute for Zlatan Ljubijankic.

Slovenia is now leading the Group C with four points, after tying with the U.S. and beating Algeria 1-0 in their World Cup opener. Slovenia will take on England on Wednesday in Port Elizabeth, and a draw can well guarantee it to qualify for the knock-out stage.