N’Golo Kante sets Chelsea return date following hamstring injury

N’Golo Kante’s Chelsea return from injury has been set after a seven month absence following a hamstring problem.

The 31-year-old has not featured since August 14 when Chelsea drew 2-2 to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.

Kante was ruled out until September, which saw him return to training at Cobham at the end of the month, however he suffered a setback and, as a result, underwent hamstring surgery.

The club confirmed in a statement in October: “N’Golo Kante has undergone an operation on his hamstring injury.

“The midfielder visited a specialist with the club’s medical department to explore the options for his rehabilitation approach and it was mutually agreed for N’Golo to have surgery to repair the damage.

“Following a successful operation, N’Golo is now expected to be sidelined for four months.”

Head coach Graham Potter is yet to have had Kante at his disposal since taking the job last September. He offered an update on the midfielder’s progress last month and insisted he wouldn’t rush him back to the team amid their other injury problems.

“N’Golo’s still on the same course in terms of his recovery, because it was a surgery,” said the 47-year-old. “So it will be February, maybe March that he’s back.

READ MORE: Chelsea’s February fixture list in full as Dortmund & Spurs await in huge month for Graham Potter

“My focus is just to get him back fit as soon as possible.

“Everyone knows his quality, it’s just getting back on the pitch playing football.”

Now L’Equipe are reporting Kante has set a date for when he hopes to return to action for Chelsea.

He is aiming to make his comeback at the end of February, in line with the expected date Chelsea had initially planned for, which could see him be in contention for the game against Leeds United on March 4.

Chelsea have a blockbuster month in March, facing Leeds, Borussia Dortmund. Everton before starting April against Aston Villa.