Chelsea have just added four new players to Enzo Maresca's squad for the rest of the season

Chelsea included teenagers Aaron Anselmino, Reggie Walsh, Genesis Antwi, and Shumaira Mheuka in their final training session ahead of Thursday's Conference League semi-final second leg tie with Djurgarden. The group of academy players join Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George in the senior group leading into the game.

Anselmino is back in the cohort after missing a lengthy period through injury earlier this year. He was recalled from Boca Juniors early in January in order to get used to his new surroundings but is likely to be loaned out in the summer. He returned to team training at Cobham and is yet to play for Enzo Maresca although he did make an appearance for the Under-21 side.

, there was no sign of the striker at the open training session held on Wednesday. Speaking about the Spaniard earlier in the day at Stamford Bridge, Maresca said it was "probably for him it's better to have some more days in terms of training session but he's very close to be back with us."

As for Antwi, the 17-year-old left-back has made his debut after coming on against Copenhagen in the home second leg in the last-16. He has been of added interest this week as a Swedish player, where Djurgarden are from.

When asked about Antwi before the match at the 3Arena, Maresca was full of praise. "First of all, he's one of the young players," he said. "He's one of the academy players in this moment.

"We try always to give them chances when they deserve. For part of the season he was working with us when we needed him. We call him and he works with us. He's doing well, as you said, with the under-21s and also he's doing well when we call him. So we are happy to give him the chance and we see in the next game he can be involved."

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Maresca has been extremely willing to turn to Chelsea's academy in the Conference League this season. Although starts for those not named George and Acheampong have dried up, appearances in the matchday squad are still common.

Mheuka is still being included as a substitute as well even when his services are perhaps better served elsewhere.

The 17-year-old has been with the Under-21s for most of this season but still qualifies for the Under-18s for another 12 months. He came on for Filipe Coelho's Development Squad in their Premier League 2 (PL2) quarter-final hammering by Crystal Palace less than a day after the Djurgarden first leg.

He did not play in Sweden but nevertheless faced a challenge posed to other academy players straddling youth and senior football. He has often been asked to play twice in two days, as has Sam Rak-Sakyi.

. That leaves more Cobham hopefuls free for selection under Maresca in the first team if he should wish.

In the quarter-final second leg against Legia Warsaw, when Chelsea had a 3-0 advantage heading to SW6, 17-year-old Landon Emenalo (son of former sporting director Michael) was named on the bench. Ato Ampah, Harrison McMahon, Harrison Murrau-Campbell, Richard Olise, and Kiano Dyer have all been around Maresca's group as well this season.

Donnell McNeilly is a player who stands out for his goalscoring record at both Under-21 and Under-18 level for Chelsea over the past two years but a failure to agree a contract extension has left him without opportunities. Thursday may well be a last chance for him to be involved but it does not seem likely after he was not involved in the final pre-match training session.

Ishe Samuels-Smith will hope to make the step-up next season and football.london understands that the club plan to keep him around after a long-term deal was signed at the end of last month. He would have been in pole position to play in the Conference League this season but was not named in the initial UEFA squad and is not eligible for the 'B' list having not been registered with Chelsea for two years prior to the beginning of this season.

The climax of the academy football campaign for Chelsea at all levels has opened the door for more involvement in the Conference League but there are only two potential games left in the competition. All experience for the young players is certainly valuable and Maresca's trust in them up to this stage has been a major positive, even if there are complaints that even more substantial appearances haven't been given out with the difference in quality between Chelsea and there opponents throughout.

The Cobham starlets will hope to have a chance to prove themselves on the field for the second leg as well as in what looks like an assured final. They may even get the chance to stay and be around the squad for the final three Premier League games as well.