N’Golo Kante has returned to individual training at Cobham in a significant boost for Chelsea after their star midfielder was last week granted compassionate leave because of safety concerns relating to coronavirus.
The French World Cup winner has not rejoined his team-mates, who are now permitted to take part in some contact training, but following talks with head coach Frank Lampard last weekend he has taken the first steps towards a return.
Kante missed three sessions after expressing concerns around safety having taken part in their first day back.
But, as first reported by The Athletic, he has been undergoing solo fitness work away from the main group this week.
It is unclear when he will rejoin his team-mates, who are now preparing for the Premier League’s resumption on the weekend of June 20.
The Chelsea hierarchy and Lampard are in agreement that Kante will not be forced into returning and will only be welcomed into the fold once he feels ready.
Kante has missed chunks of the delayed campaign because of knee and ankle injuries and has made only 16 Premier League starts
He has made a full recovery from those issues but may require additional time to reach full fitness following his missed sessions.
Kante’s concerns are understood to stem from his family history and data that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are more likely to die or be taken seriously ill when contracting the virus.
