Chelsea’s injury-ravaged season continued on Thursday night following confirmation Enzo Fernandez would miss the rest of the season.

The Argentine midfielder is believed to have undergone surgery to correct an inguinal hernia and the operation is enough to rule him out of the final six games of the campaign.

It is thought that going under the knife now would allow the 23-year-old time to recover to potentially play in this summer’s Copa America, which begins in the United States on Thursday 20 June.

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino is already dealing with a lengthy injury list and has been without key players for much of a turbulent first season in charge.

Cole Palmer has at least returned to training ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa to offer the under-fire Pochettino some reprieve, while Reece James and Christopher Nkunku are reportedly pushing to play again this season.

“Enzo Fernandez has today undergone successful surgery on a groin issue and will now begin a period of rehabilitation, sidelining him for the remainder of Chelsea’s 2023/24 season,” read a club statement.

“The 23-year-old midfielder will work with the club's medical department on his rehabilitation at Cobham.”