Enzo Fernandez makes surprise Chelsea training appearance before Tottenham after surgery

Enzo Fernandez was at Chelsea's training ground ahead of Tottenham's visit to Stamford Bridge on Thursday. The 23-year-old is one of 14 players unavailable for the game as Mauricio Pochettino works with a severely injury-hit squad, even for this season's standards.

Alongside Fernandez, Chelsea will be without Reece James, Levi Colwill, Christopher Nkunku, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, and more as they welcome Spurs. Fernandez is one of a growing group that won't play again this season.

Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana are both out with long-term problems, while Lesley Ugochukwu, James, Colwill, and Chilwell only returned to training last week. With five games to go ahead of the clash with Ange Postecoglou's men, there is uncertainty over just how much of a role some of the currently sidelined players will be able to have.

Fernandez has clarity over his role, having had surgery last week following a groin problem that has plagued him throughout the season. "I wanted to let you know that my operation was successful; everything went well, thank God," he wrote on Instagram afterwards, confirming that all went well.

"I needed to get this surgery since I been dragging the pain for about 6 months. It was something I could avoid while constantly treating myself with injections and medications. But a few weeks ago, the pain started to get more and more intense, without any of this taking effect, and it was worse as I trained and played annoyingly, but I didn't want to stop being in the games I had.

"Whenever I got to play with Chelsea jersey, like the national team, I always try to do my best despite all this, but I can't stand it anymore. Thank you for the messages, encouragement, and your token of love always. Shout out to everyone I promise you I’m coming back stronger than ever [white and blue heart emojis]. Take good care of yourselves. EJF [lion head emoji]."

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Fernandez could be called into action with Argentina later this year at the Copa America ahead of pre-season with Chelsea in the USA shortly after. For now, though, he is still spending time around his current teammates. "Look who came to say hi! [happy face emoji]" Chelsea tweeted on Wednesday with images of Fernandez at the Cobham training base.

In his Eton Blue - minty green - training gear, Fernandez was pictured greeting Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella out on the grass at the Surrey complex. In more good news for the Argentine, he didn't have any walking assistance either.

Having played more football than most in the past two years, he seemed to be in good spirits as well. Taking to social media, he simply posted the same picture of himself with a blue heart emoji added.

Chelsea and Pochettino will now be hopeful of getting past Tottenham without their maestro. It is a crucial game in their search to secure European football for next season.