Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has confirmed that N'Golo Kante "is still not ready" to return to action against Bournemouth this weekend, but may feature in the Champions League clash with Roma.
The 26-year-old has missed the Blues' last four games with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty with France at the start of the month.
Conte revealed seven days ago that he was hopeful of having last season's PFA Player of the Year back to full fitness before the next two-week break, with a crunch clash against Manchester United on the horizon, and he remains on course to make a comeback next week.
"N'Golo is still not ready [for Bournemouth]," Conte told reporters. "We have to wait but I hope to have him back for the Roma game."
Chelsea will also be without Victor Moses at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening, while Danny Drinkwater is unlikely to start after being handed his first appearance for the club against Everton in midweek.
Daniel Lewis
