N’Golo Kante to return to Chelsea after hamstring injury on France duty

Kante will miss France’s matches against Kazakhstan and Bosnia next week.

N’Golo Kante (right) in action for France during the World Cup qualifying contest against Ukraine.

France midfielder N’Golo Kante will return to Chelsea after sustaining a hamstring injury on international duty, the country’s football federation (FFF) said.

The 29-year-old felt some discomfort towards the end of France’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine in Wednesday’s 2022 World Cup qualifier. He underwent tests on Thursday, which revealed a minor injury and will now miss France’s matches against Kazakhstan and Bosnia on Sunday and Wednesday.

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The FFF said in a statement the national coach Didier Deschamps had decided to send Kante back to Chelsea after consulting with medical staff. “Kante will not be replaced,” the FFF added. “It is therefore a group of 25 players who will fly to Kazakhstan on Friday morning.”

Kante has started four of Chelsea's last five league games and manager Thomas Tuchel will hope to have him fit in time for its Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion on April 3.