Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has revealed that N'Golo Kante will not be fit to face Wolves this weekend
The midfielder has been suffering with an irritating ankle injury that kept him out of the French squad for the international break, and though he was expected to return for the trip to Wolves, Lampard has ruled him out.
However, it is not all bad news for the Blues, with the news that Antonio Rudiger could make a return to the team after five months out injured.
The defender suffered a knee injury against Manchester United in April, and has been on a long road to recovery, including appearances for the Under-23s in recent weeks.
Following the two-week international break, the German defender is finally ready to get back to first team football - though Lampard has stressed he still has a choice to make over whether the defender is picked.
Meanwhile, Matteo Kovacic is available for selection after recovering from an Achilles problem, while Pedro could also making a return to the starting line up after starting the first three games of the season before picking up a hamstring problem.
"Kovacic is fit to play. N’Golo is not fit yet," Lampard told reporters.
"He still has issues with his ankle. The medical team are working with him. He is in a transition period and we are trying to get him on the pitch. He is doing some physical work but this game comes too soon for him.
"Hopefully he is close. I don’t want to jump the gun because we are waiting for improvements for that final step to get him where we want him to be on the pitch.
"Hopefully that will be in the next week or so, and again, alongside Rudiger, Willian, Callum [Hudson-Odoi] and Ruben [Loftus-Cheek]. They are big players who are really going to up our level because they will compete to play. Pedro is fine too, yes.
"Rudiger is fit to play. That’s a choice for myself [whether he starts]. He will have an important role. I know he has been important for the club and team since he has been here. Personality, character, quality. He is an international defender and we have missed him. As we have missed a few front line players who will strengthen us as a group. I am certainly pleased to have him back."
