Frank Lampard has told journalists that N’Golo Kante is close to fitness and his return to full training is expected later this week.
When asked about the Frenchman during the post-United press-conference, Lampard responded:
“Training in the next two or three days. Hopefully, before the international break. It’s important, he’s a top player.”
N’Golo was unavailable for selection against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup. Chelsea struggled for fresh legs in the midfield, with Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic playing almost every other game this season.
Lampard bemoaned: “I’d have liked to have given Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic a rest tonight because of the work they’ve put in, but I couldn’t today because of N’Golo, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek long-term.
I couldn’t make the changes I wanted to today. It is what it is.”
Kante got injured during the last international break with France. He missed Newcastle, Ajax and Burnley games with a groin issue.