Kai Havertz took to Instagram to share a photo of him enjoying a cuddle with his dog after missing Chelsea's UEFA Champions League victory over Rennes.
The 21-year-old winger is currently self-isolating after being ruled out of Wednesday's Group B fixture following a positive coronavirus test.
Chelsea strolled to a comfortable win in his absence, with a brace from Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham's second-half strike sealing the result for the hosts after Rennes were reduced to ten men shortly before the interval.
Havertz posted the snap, showing him clutching a small Labrador puppy, to his Instagram story without a caption.
The Germany international admitted to the Telegraph earlier this year that he is an animal lover and that their welfare is an issue close to his heart.
"I’m trying to do my best to help people to help animals," he said. "In the future it will be a bigger thing for me to do things like that.
"Of course, football is very important for me. But to be honest, there are many more important things in life than football. I try to do my best to help as much as I can.”
Havertz has scored four goals in ten appearances for Chelsea in all competitions this season, most recently during the 3-3 draw at home against Southampton last month.
He also netted a hat-trick against Championship side Barnsley in a 6-0 Carabao Cup thrashing back in September.
Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday evening as they welcome strugglers Sheffield United to Stamford Bridge, before they resume after the international break with a long trip to face Newcastle United away from home.
