Why Chelsea star Pedro Neto will return from Portugal duty early as huge update given

Chelsea star Pedro Neto has been sent home from international duty early following Portugal's Nations League triumph over Poland on Friday night.

Roberto Martinez' men booked their spot in the knockout rounds of the competition with a 5-1 win at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto. Rafael Leao opened the scoring just before the hour mark, while Cristiano Ronaldo also scored a brace late on in the game.

Bruno Fernandes and Neto were the remaining two goal-scorers, and the Chelsea attacker was substituted shortly after his goal in the 83rd-minute. Neto has now been named as one of four Portugal stars set to return to their club sides early following the team's qualification for the quarter-finals.

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Fernandes will miss the game against Croatia on Monday through suspension, while Chelsea's Neto, Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva will be offered a much-needed rest. Martinez has now called-up Wolves and Sporting CP forwards, Fabio Silva and Geovany Quenda, in their place.

Neto has established himself as a key player in Enzo Maresca's Chelsea side this season, following his move from Premier League rivals Wolves. The 24-year-old has registered three assists and also scored three goals - across all competitions so far - including the equaliser against Arsenal last time out.

After the international break, Chelsea will be away at Maresca's former team, Leicester City, in the Premier League before they travel to face Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Martinez explained his decision to let four key players, including Neto, leave the squad. "In the first stage, we made six changes from one game to the next," he said.

Martinez continued: "It's important for us to be first, and we already are. We need to be competitive to add to the group, it's getting harder and harder to get into the starting eleven. There's a World Cup finals in 18 months.

"The game against Croatia is important, we need to look at other players. We're going to let go of Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, who is suspended - so we're going to call up Fábio Silva and [Geovany] Quenda from the Under-21s."