Frank Lampard has said that N'Golo Kante could have a chance of facing Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The midfielder's stop-start 2019/2020 campaign continued on Saturday afternoon.
When the Blues' starting line-up for the Premier League clash against Brighton and Hove Albion was confirmed, the big shock was that Kante hadn't even made the matchday squad.
It was soon confirmed that the France international suffered a hamstring scare.
Given his importance to the west London outfit, Lampard revealed that he didn't want to take any risks.
"Yes, it's an awareness. I didn't want to take the risk," Lampard said in his post-match press conference. "I spoke to N'Golo about it, he's so important for us - we know that - but he's had a difficult pre-season.
"It's been difficult for us but mainly for him to get going because of the break up of his pre-season as his injury carried over from last year, so it wasn't right to risk it today.
Then when asked if Kante could return against Lille next week, Lampard was rather upbeat without confirming whether or not the midfielder would be available.
"Yes, he could have a chance for Lille," Lampard added.
Kante's injury will be of concern to Lampard, while he was also without Kurt Zouma at Stamford Bridge because if illness.
Those absence didn't harm Chelsea as they ran out 2-0 winners over the Seagulls thanks to second half goals from Jorginho and Willian.
Following the Champions League encounter with Lille, the Blues return to Premier League action next Sunday as they face Southampton away from home in the final game before the October international break.
