Enzo Fernandez withdraws from Argentina with knee swelling

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has withdrawn from Argentina's squad with inflammation in his right knee and will return to London for assessment, the Argentine national team said, raising doubts about his availability for Chelsea's Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, October 18. The development follows a congested international schedule and the rescheduling of Argentina's friendly against Puerto Rico from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, a change that had threatened to shorten Fernandez's recovery and travel time.

Argentina's medical staff diagnosed Fernandez with synovitis, or swelling, in his right knee after the 24 year old played 78 minutes in Friday's 1-0 friendly win over Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The national team said he would not feature in the Tuesday friendly against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and would return to Chelsea for treatment. It is not yet clear how long he will be sidelined.

The Puerto Rico friendly was moved from Soldier Field in Chicago to Fort Lauderdale and delayed by a day. A Chicago Park District spokesman confirmed the Chicago fixture had been cancelled, saying the promoter made the decision due to...