Second Chelsea star withdraws from national team squad after picking up injury vs Wolves

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Pedro Neto picked up a groin issue in Chelsea's 3-0 Premier League win over Wolves on Saturday

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has withdrawn from Roberto Martinez's Portugal squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia.

The 25-year-old attacker picked is believed to have picked up the problem during Saturday's 3-0 demolition of former club Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

Neto netted the Blues' third goal before Enzo Maresca later confirmed the player asked to be substituted after complaining of discomfort.

Maresca said: "Joao Pedro, Neto and Enzo [Fernandez], they asked for a change, Pedro had a problem with his groin and Enzo had a problem with his knee. So we need to see how they are now."

The Portuguese Football Federation issued a press release on Sunday evening confirming Neto would no longer be available.

The call was "made jointly by Chelsea's medical department and the FPF's Health and Performance Directorate, due to physical problems that limit the player," as per Portugal's statement.

Sporting CP attacker Pedro Goncalves has also withdrawn from the squad as Portugal bid to clinch their place at next summer's World Cup finals.

Victory in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday would book their ticket to the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Martinez's side then conclude their qualification campaign at home to Armenia on Sunday at FC Porto's Estadio do Dragao.

Neto is the second Chelsea player to withdraw from international duty after £106.8m midfielder Fernandez also dropped out of the Argentina squad due to an ongoing knee problem.

The 24-year-old told ESPN’s SportsCenter following the triumph over Wolves: “I’ve been talking with the medical staff because I’ve been dealing with a knee problem for four months. I’ve had bone edema that become worse in recent weeks due to the number of games I have played.

“We made the decision together that I should rest for these two weeks, since the important part comes at the end of the season [the Finalissima against Spain and World Cup]. It was very good to have discussed it and decide together that this is the best thing for my knee.

“I’m in a lot of pain. I’ll try to recover as much as possible over these two or three weeks and be 100 per cent ready to train and play with my teammates again.”

Moises Caicedo has already joined up with the Ecuador squad despite also nursing a knee issue.

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