Kante among Chelsea players sidelined for Burnley game

N’Golo Kante and Ross Barkley will both miss Chelsea’s trip to Burnley this weekend along with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.

Blues boss Frank Lampard said earlier this week he hoped to have the midfielders back for Saturday’s game at Turf Moor.

However, Lampard revealed on Friday afternoon that both men are still not fit.

It continues a frustrating spell for Kante, who suffered a knee injury towards the end of last season and was troubled by ankle and hamstring problems before recently picking up a groin injury while on international duty with France.

Barkley went off with an ankle injury during Saturday’s win against Newcastle, while defender Christensen is recovering from a hamstring strain.

And while Barkley is expected to be available for the match against Watford on 2 November, Lampard said Chelsea had taken “a little step back” with Kante’s comeback and that it is unclear when the Frenchman will return.

“He’s training on his own with some physical work. We need to get him right now, because he’s been in and out during the season,” Lampard explained.

Rudiger, meanwhile, has made just one appearance this season, at Wolves, where he aggravated a groin problem following a comeback from a knee injury.

But Lampard said the German centre-back is “close” to a return, having recently resumed training.