Graham Potter set for huge N’Golo Kante injury boost as Chelsea training return date revealed

N’Golo Kante could be ready to make his Chelsea training return as early as this week, according to reports.

The 31-year-old has been out of action since August. Kante has only featured in two Premier League matches for Chelsea this season, against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, before suffering a hamstring injury against their London rivals and being forced off at Stamford Bridge.

Kante, who had a target return date of October, suffered a setback and a decision was made for the midfielder to undergo hamstring surgery which would rule him out for the next four months.

A return at the end of February was eyed by the club, with head coach Graham Potter recently confirming the hoped comeback date for the French engine.

“He will be a while, end of Feb, start of March,” Potter said in December. “It was a surgery, so it is a minimum period of four months pretty much.

“I think my focus is to help him get back fit as soon as possible, everyone knows the quality he has. 

‘That is not in question, but it is about helping him get fit and back on the pitch, and looking forward to seeing him back playing football as we haven’t seen him.”

Now Bobby Vincent of football.london has reported Chelsea’s huge boost after revealing when the club are hoping to welcome back Kante back into the squad.

It’s claimed Chelsea are hopeful Kante will return to team training by the end of this week, however they are very mindful of not rushing him back.

When Kante could be available for selection again remains unclear, with Potter yet to have seen the 31-year-old play for him since his appointment last September.

Chelsea have a key game coming up against Tottenham Hotspur at the end of February, while also welcoming Borussia Dortmund to Stamford Bridge next month for the second leg of their Round of 16 Champions League tie.

Kante is eligible to face the Bundesliga side after being included in the 25-man squad which was announced last week.

His return to the side will be welcomed, with contract talks still ongoing despite Kante being out of contract at the end of the season, but Potter and Chelsea will know that no risks will be taken to ensure no further setbacks are suffered.