Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez missed Saturday's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest due to an injury, Enzo Maresca confirmed. The Argentina international was left out of the matchday squad completely after being a doubt pre-match.
Fernandez missed training on Thursday at Cobham, and there were doubts over his availability.
When team news was released on Saturday morning, Fernandez was the notable exclusion. Moises Caicedo was also a concern for the game, but he was named on the bench.
"It's not a big concern," Maresca said. "He's out for injury. Hopefully he can be back very soon."
It's understood that Fernandez is suffering a knee injury. The midfielder has been an ever-present in Maresca's midfield this season, making 10 appearances in all competitions.
He has already scored three goals in the Premier League this term, half of what he achieved in 36 games last season. In his place, Romeo Lavia starts in midfield for Chelsea, his first start in the league since the 2-0 loss to Newcastle in May.
Fernandez's injury blow comes after the Blues were handed a fresh setback with Cole Palmer. Previously, Maresca said the England international would be back after the international break, but that is no longer the case.
"I was wrong. Unfortunately, he needs to be out probably six more weeks," he confirmed on Friday. Asked if Palmer would need surgery, he added: "Yes, absolutely. We try just to protect Cole as much as we can, the most important thing is that."
At Forest, Maresca will have to watch the game from the stands after receiving a straight red card in the win over Liverpool. After Estevao netted an injury-time winner to beat the Premier League champions last time, their Italian head coach raced down the dug-out in Jose Mourinho-like style.
Willy Caballero and Danny Walker, two of Maresca's coaching staff, will oversee proceedings from the dug-out. However, Maresca has revealed how he plans to remain in communication with those close to the players.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "We have connection with the bench but also we have three coaching staff that can be there, they can manage the situation."
