[Photo confirmation] Kante returns to Chelsea training ground ahead of Bournemouth trip

Chelsea midfield maestro N’Golo Kante is nearing full fitness as he returns to first-team training with his team’s Manchester United fixture closing in.

Kante sustained a hamstring injury during the last FIFA international break and was sidelined for three weeks but has lifted Chelsea after joining his teammates in training on Friday.

Antonio Conte will be glad, with the player’s noticeable absence in the squad of late, who have let in eight goals in their four matches without the former Leicester City man.

Conte does have another concern with yet another midfielder, though. He will have to check on Spain international Cesc Fabregas’s fitness late on Friday after he fell sick.

The Premier League Champions inflicted more misery over Merseyside club Everton on Wednesday night as goals from summer signing Antonio Rudiger and Brazil international Willian fired the Blues into the League Cup quarter-finals.

The former Juventus manager will be hopeful the return of midfield rock Ngolo Kante will revitalize a team that have lost ground on all front.

Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Watford last Saturday recovered a few of the lost ground from their surprising loss in the hand of Crystal Palace at the Selhurst Park just a week before.