Chelsea handed boost as N’Golo Kante trains with team-mates after recovering from groin injury ahead of Champions League clash with Ajax
- N’Golo Kante trained with his Chelsea team-mates on Monday morning
- The Frenchman has struggled with groin issues and hasn’t played in a month
- However, Kante looks to have overcome the injury and could feature on Tuesday
Chelsea have been handed a major boost ahead of their Champions League clash with Ajax after N’Golo Kante trained with his team-mates on Monday morning.
The French midfielder has struggled with a groin issue which has kept him on the sidelines for nearly a month, having not featured for the Blues since October 6.
However, the 28-year-old could now be in line to feature against the Dutch champions when they visit Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.
N’Golo Kante (right) trains with his Chelsea team-mates after recovering from a groin issue
The French midfielder (No 7, front) trains on Monday ahead of Ajax’s visit to Stamford Bridge
Blues manager Frank Lampard rated Kante’s chances of facing Ajax at ’50-50’ in his Friday press conference.
Lampard said last week: ‘N’Golo is close. He is back working with the team now. He will possibly (be back) next week.’
Kante has featured just six times in all competitions this season, scoring two goals in that time.
While Kante looks likely to return, Lampard rejected suggestions that Antonio Rudiger is poised to return imminently from his injury.
Comments attributed to Rudiger last week implied he could have featured in the 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday, after the defender suffered a freak groin injury in September while slipping on a metal plate next to the pitch against Wolves.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard rated Kante’s chances of featuring against Ajax at ’50-50′
Callum Hudson-Odoi (centre) and Tammy Abraham (right) share a joke during the session
Mason Mount (left) receives the ball as Willian (right) defends in the training drill at Cobham
The defender has returned to training, but Lampard downplayed any notion of any immediate place in the squad.
Lampard added: ‘No, he’s not fit. There was a miscommunication. He’s seeing a consultant on Monday over an ongoing pelvic issue.
‘We’ll have to wait for the consultant appointment to see how long he’ll be out. Himself and N’Golo carried over injuries from last season and it’s been a domino effect.
‘The players will be frustrated. Disappointing for me because I want to select them but it brings opportunities for other players.’