Chelsea news: Danny Drinkwater ruled out until October with calf injury

DANNY DRINKWATER is unlikely to make his Chelsea debut until October due to an ongoing calf issue.

Danny DrinkwaterGETTY

Danny Drinkwater has been ruled out until October by injury

Drinkwater was an unused substitute against his former club Leicester last Saturday and missed the midweek Champions League win over Qarabag of Azerbaijan.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said: "He had a muscular problem in his calf. I think it's very difficult to see him before the international break. He needs time to recover.

"It's a pity because he was starting to work and to improve his physical condition.

"Now we have to move all these situations. And in two, three weeks, four weeks, I don't know."

Drinkwater joined on transfer deadline day for a reported fee of £35million to be reunited with former Leicester team-mate N'Golo Kante. 

The midfield pair were key in the Foxes' 2015-16 surprise title win.

Chelsea play Arsenal on Sunday in the third of seven matches in September.

Drinkwater scores impressive goal during Chelsea training

The Blues will have had more than 48 hours additional rest over the Gunners, who beat Cologne in the Europa League on Thursday night. 

But Conte played down the extra time between games.

He added: "I watched the game and (Arsenal boss Arsene) Wenger rotated a lot of players, a lot of players rested for the game against us. I think it's not an advantage."

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