Chelsea receive N'Golo Kante boost ahead of pre-season tour following France injury

N'Golo Kante has returned to Chelsea training as the Blues' pre-season preparations continue. The French midfielder is the first of Thomas Tuchel's internationals to arrive at Cobham.

Chelsea's training got underway over the weekend when 14 stars returned to the club's Surrey training base, while Thomas Tuchel made his return on Monday, accompanied by talented youngsters Lewis Hall, Mason Burstow, Charlie Webster and Harvey Vale. The latter won the UEFA under-19 Championship with England last week but wasted little time getting involved with the first team.

Kante's return will come as a boost to the Blues after the 31-year-old departed France's squad in the early part of June as the World Champions prepared for a Nations League clash against Croatia. The midfielder managed to play one of France's four fixtures during the international period as he completed 90 minutes in the defeat to Denmark before being absent from squads to face Croatia and Austria.

Didier Deschamp's side faced Croatia a second time but Kante was released from the squad due to a knee injury. A statement from the French Football Federation read: "Embarrassed by knee pain, N'Golo Kanté left the rally this Saturday morning. The Chelsea midfielder would not have been able to play Monday against Croatia at the Stade de France."

Chelsea's stars who completed international fixtures are not expected back until the weekend for the USA training camp, with some believed to be heading directly to Los Angeles for the pre-season tour, rather than meeting at Cobham first. It seems a positive sign for Kante to already be present for training.

The former Leicester star could be seen walking out to the training pitches alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek on Tuesday. Kante