Enzo Maresca could unleash perfect Enzo Fernandez replacement amid Chelsea injury worry

Enzo Fernandez has picked up an injury on international duty (Image: Getty Images)

Enzo Maresca could deploy Andrey Santos as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez against Nottingham Forest .

The Argentinian withdrew from international duty at the weekend as a result of knee inflammation, with the national team taking to social media to break the news.

Sharing a photo of the midfielder with strapping on his knee, Argentina wrote: "The @ChelseaFC footballer Enzo Fernández has been withdrawn from the tour due to synovitis in his right knee."

As a result, Fernandez will be unavailable for selection during Argentina's upcoming friendly with Puerto Rico, and it is unknown how long he will be sidelined for.

It's a tough pill to swallow for Maresca , given the 24-year-old has played more Premier League minutes for Chelsea this term than any other midfielder, barring Moises Caicedo .

It's been a cagey season for Maresca in terms of injury, with a number of key players recovering from issues at present. Levi Colwill will miss large parts of the season as a result of suffering a cruciate ligament tear, while Liam Delap is nursing a hamstring injury .

Cole Palmer , meanwhile, is set to be out until the end of the month with a groin injury , while Dario Essugo's return is unknown as a result of surgery on his thigh .

However, the silver lining is that Santos - who missed matches against Benfica and Liverpool - is expected to return to the first-team this week, and could be deployed as a perfect replacement in the absence of Fernandez.

The 21-year-old has impressed with limited chances under Maresca, making five Premier League appearances for Chelsea since returning from a loan spell with Strasbourg this summer.

And while the Brazilian is a little while away from being a regular starter, he could provide the perfect answer for Fernandez's injury woes.

It comes as Chelsea have impressed in the Premier League this season under the tutelage of Maresca. The Blues currently sit seventh in the standings with three wins, two draws and two losses to show for their efforts.

However, with a tough run of games in Forest, Ajax in the Champions League , Sunderland, Wolves and Tottenham in their next five outings, Maresca will hope that Fernandez is back playing sooner rather than later, given his impact in the heart of the Chelsea engine room.