Kante among Chelsea players ruled out of Newcastle game

N’Golo Kante has been ruled out of Chelsea’s game against Newcastle on Saturday along with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.

Blues boss Frank Lampard has confirmed that a groin injury Kante  picked up during the warm-up before France’s recent game against Iceland will keep him out this weekend.

Lampard also revealed he expects Christensen to be out for two weeks with a hamstring problem.

Rudiger is still working his way back from a groin injury but Lampard added that Mateo Kovacic is “in contention” and that Ross Barkley is “fine” following their respective injury niggles.

Lampard admitted he was unhappy that Kante did not return to Chelsea until after France’s game against Turkey despite it being clear he would not be fit to play in that game.

“I think it could have been handled better,” Lampard said at a news conference on Friday afternoon.

Kante’s latest injury continues a troubled spell for the midfielder, who has struggled with knee, ankle and hamstring problems in recent months.

Lampard said: “He’s not fit. He had a small groin issue in the warm-up to the first international game with France. We didn’t get him back until after the second game and he’s not fit for Saturday.

“Andreas Christensen has got a hamstring injury which will see him out probably for the next two weeks.”

Rudiger’s presence at the back has been missed this season and Chelsea are hoping the German central defender will return sooner rather than later.

He suffered his injury at Norwich, where he was returning after a spell out with a knee problem.

“Rudiger is training outside with the physios which is a progression for him,” said Lampard.

“He’s had a tough injury with some stop-starts to it, which is a bit unfortunate for everybody, but he’s outside and it’s positive.

“There’s a bit of work to be done for him – match fitness – but it’s really positive for us that he’s back outside.”