>
N’Golo Kante FINALLY returns to Chelsea training after six months sidelined with a hamstring injury as Graham Potter gets a much-needed boost heading into the business finale to the season.
- Kante hasn’t featured since picking up an injury against Tottenham in August.
- After returning to training a month later, the Frenchman once again aggravated the issue
- But he is getting closer to a long-awaited return to action after being spotted in training.
N’Golo Kante is finally back in Chelsea training as the midfielder nears a long-awaited return from injury.
Kante has only featured twice for the Blues this season after picking up a hamstring problem in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in August, which has kept him out of action for the past seven months.
After initially missing the next six games, the France international returned to training in September and was ready to return to the squad before his injury worsened, meaning he has missed most of the campaign.
During his period on the sidelines, Thomas Tuchel was sacked as Chelsea boss and replaced by Graham Potter, who now faces the ax amid a disastrous run of just one win in 11 games and as many goals scored in six.
However, in a well-timed boost for Potter, Kante returned to training on Wednesday as he nears a full recovery from the hamstring issue.
N’Golo Kante (centre) is finally back in Chelsea training as the midfielder nears a comeback
Kante hasn’t featured since suffering a hamstring injury against Tottenham in August.
His long-awaited return from injury comes as a timely boost for Graham Potter, who is under pressure.
It is believed that he could be available to Potter for the first time next month, although the head coach faces a battle to remain in charge then.
Chelsea has been in a free fall with Potter in recent months; recording just one win this calendar year, crashing out of all domestic cup competitions and slipping to tenth in the Premier League table.
They also face elimination from the Champions League after suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the round of 16 against Borussia Dortmund, with the decider coming on Tuesday.
Despite the endorsement he has received from owner Todd Boehly thus far, the Blues’ next two outings against Leeds and Dortmund could prove crucial for Potter.
Should there be another defeat in one or both games, the former Brighton manager’s position at Stamford Bridge will be seriously threatened.
Kante returning to action sooner rather than later would only help his cause, however it is likely that Chelsea will put him back in the side after such a long run of injury.
Reports also suggest that he is about to sign a new three-year deal at the club, with his current deal set to expire this summer.
The 31-year-old is widely considered the best box-to-box midfielder in world football when fit and proper, having played an integral role in Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Champions League triumphs. FA Cup since moving to Chelsea in 2016.