Graham Potter confirms N'Golo Kante out until the end of February

Graham Potter confirms N’Golo Kante will be out of action until the end of February, just months before the French midfielder star’s Chelsea contract expires

• N’Golo Kante remains sidelined after undergoing hamstring surgery in October
• The defensive midfielder’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season
• Chelsea boss Graham Potter said his priority is to help Kante regain full fitness
• Potter insisted Edouard Mendy is happy amid reports he has rejected a new deal 

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has confirmed N’Golo Kante will not be available for selection until the end of February or start of March as the midfielder recovers from hamstring surgery.

Kane underwent surgery on his hamstring in October, ruling him out of action for four months.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League return against Bournemouth, Potter admitted it would be a while until the 31-year-old Frenchman returns to action.

N’Golo Kante is expected to return for Chelsea at the end of February or early March

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter said his priority is to help Kante regain full fitness

The defensive midfielder’s contract is due to expire at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Potter insisted his priority was to ensure the Frenchman regains full fitness, when asked whether a decision would have to be made on Kante’s future before his return from injury. 

‘He will be a while, end of Feb, start of March,’ Potter said. ‘It was a surgery, so it is a minimum period of four months pretty much.

‘I think my focus is to help him get back fit as soon as possible, everyone knows the quality he has. 

‘That is not in question, but it is about helping him get fit and back on the pitch, and looking forward to seeing him back playing football as we haven’t seen him.’

Kante’s Chelsea future is uncertain with his contract set to expire at the end of the season

Kante’s latest injury ruled him out of the World Cup with France, but has not stopped him from being linked with Barcelona.

Although he is arguably one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, Kante has struggled with injuries over the last 18 months, and has only taken to the field twice so far this season for Chelsea.

Potter also refused to be drawn on Edouard Mendy’s contract situation, amid reports the goalkeeper had turned down a ‘disrespectful’ offer from the club.

Potter refused to be drawn on reports Edouard Mendy has rejected a new Chelsea contract

‘It is not my place to speak publicly on players contract situations, that is between them and the club,’ the Chelsea head coach said.

‘He [Mendy] has been top with us, with me, he’s a great guy. 

‘He is happy around the place, but in terms of his contract, I can’t comment on that.’

Chelsea will return to Premier League action against Bournemouth on December 27, with Potter confirming Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic will miss the game after their World Cup exertions with Morocco and Croatia, respectively.

Wesley Fofana will miss the match after an injury setback, with Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek also absent.

Reece James looks set to be involved after the knee injury which saw him omitted from the England World Cup squad.

Chelsea lost their last three Premier League games ahead of the break, picking up just two points from their previous five league fixtures.

Potter will hope to have used the time off to put his stamp on the Chelsea squad who currently lie in eighth position, while they face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Round of 16.

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