Chelsea striker Franco di Santo is battling boss Luiz Felipe Scolari over a release for Argentina's U20 South American championship campaign.

"I spoke to Scolari and he told me that he wouldn't let me go," Di Santo told Argentine television yesterday.

"There are only three strikers in the squad: Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and me, and he told me that he needs me to stay in London."

The Argentine football federation hopes Fifa will insist that Chelsea allow Di Santo to travel, and reports in Argentina suggest national coach Diego Maradona will attempt to convince the club to allow him to play.

"It makes me proud that Maradona is interested in my case," said Di Santo.

The 19-year-old said Chelsea captain John Terry was also in support of his cause.

"I spoke to John Terry a couple of times in the last couple of days and he said I was right to go and play.

"He said I'm only on the bench and need to get minutes in the team so I get noticed.

"I'm always on the bench, I've only played eight games this season, always coming on in the last ten or 15 minutes."