Chelsea Star Targetting Return Against Man Utd After Being Hit By Injury Blow

Chelsea star N’Golo Kante should be back for the crunch clash with Manchester United after being ruled out for six games with a hamstring injury, according to a report in the Express.

Kante picked up the issue while playing for France in their World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria last weekend after he was forced off in the 34th minute clutching his hamstring.

National team boss Didier Deschamps confirmed after the game the injury looked serious and subsequent scans revealed Kante had suffered a tear in his left thigh muscle.

The midfielder returned to Cobham to be further assessed by Chelsea’s medical department but the Express are reporting that the Premier League champions fears have now been confirmed.

The newspaper says Kante has been ruled out for the rest of the month meaning he’ll miss this weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace as well as further league games against Watford, Bournemouth and Everton.

Kante will also sit out Chelsea’s huge Champions League group stage double header with AS Roma this month which will come as a major blow to Antonio Conte’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

However, the good news is as long as Kante doesn’t suffer any setbacks during his recovery, the French international should be back in contention for the visit of Manchester United on November 5th.

That showdown at Stamford Bridge could be pivotal in this seasons title race so it will be a huge boost for Chelsea if Kante does get himself fit when Jose Mourinho’s United head for the capital next month.

In the meantime, Kante’s injury will open the door for Danny Drinkwater to stake his claim for a starting spot with the midfielder close to recovering from a calf strain that’s hampered him since his move from Leicester in the summer.