Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that the team will be missing three key players for the Premier League clash against Sheffield United this weekend.
The Blues got back on track with a win against Norwich City last weekend after an uncertain start to the campaign, with N'Golo Kante coming off the bench in the 4-0 loss to Manchester United and played the a full part in the UEFA Super Cup loss to Liverpool and the home draw against Leicester City.
An ankle problem kept Kante out of the game against Norwich, and he looked likely to miss the game against Chris Wilder's side after being left out of the France national squad for the upcoming international break.
Lampard has now confirmed that the midfielder is out of the game at Stamford Bridge, along with Pedro and Antonio Rudiger.
The Spanish winger should be fine to return to action after the international break, while Rudiger is continuing his comeback from a knee injury in the Under 23s, who face Spurs on Friday evening.
"N'Golo Kante is not fit, so the continuation of his ankle problem and he won't be travelling with the France squad either," Lampard told reporters.
"I had a conversation with Didier Deschamps and we both agreed it's the best thing for him. Let's try and get him fit over the break.
"Pedro is not fit – should be the other side of the international break. Rudiger will play in the U23s tonight for the final time in terms of proper match fitness, then in serious contention after the break.
"[Kante's injury is] a setback, of course. My focus is then to make sure he's okay. He's had four years of constant football at an incredibly high energy and output level. We have to get that right.
"It's the right thing to do, we have a strong squad and the performance last week was very good. We have to be strong as a squad, and hopefully we'll show that."
