Chelsea trio to miss Crystal Palace clash

N’Golo Kante has been ruled out of Chelsea’s game against Crystal Palace and is also expected to miss this weekend’s trip to Sheffield United.

Mateo Kovacic will also miss the Palace match – the Croatian remains sidelined with an Achilles problem.

Kante, who has endured an injury-hit season, went off during the win over Watford after picking up a hamstring strain.

Speaking at a news conference via video on Monday afternoon, Frank Lampard said Kante’s was a “low-level” injury but confirmed he would not be available for Tuesday’s derby.

Blues boss Lampard also confirmed that Kovacic, who missed the Watford match, is not yet fit enough to play.

Lampard said: “Kante won’t be in the squad. He hurt his hamstring.

“It’s a low-level hamstring injury. Hopefully it will be a week or so.

“We’ll find out as we go, but I would expect we’d be very lucky to have him for Sheffield United.

“Kovacic trained with us today. He’s not ready for this game. Hopefully the next.”

Meanwhile, Fikayo Tomori is expected to resume full training soon despite the defender suffering what Lampard called a “small setback” in his recovery from injury.

The Palace game comes too soon for Tomori, who had hoped to return to the squad.

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